PLSAX vs. VEXRX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) and VEXRX (Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VEXRX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX returned 15.48%/yr vs 14.09%/yr for VEXRX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLSAX charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for VEXRX.

Performance

PLSAX vs. VEXRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLSAX achieves a 9.64% return, which is significantly lower than VEXRX's 18.16% return. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX has outperformed VEXRX with an annualized return of 15.48%, while VEXRX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.09% annualized return.

PLSAX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 9.64%
• 6M: 8.63%
• 1Y: 25.16%
• 3Y*: 21.58%
• 5Y*: 13.50%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

VEXRX

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 4.50%
• YTD: 18.16%
• 6M: 15.82%
• 1Y: 30.78%
• 3Y*: 18.27%
• 5Y*: 7.18%
• 10Y*: 14.09%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PLSAX vs. VEXRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	9.64%	17.50%	26.46%	25.70%	-18.41%	27.93%	17.85%	30.97%	-4.93%	21.23%
VEXRX Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares	18.16%	7.19%	17.40%	19.90%	-23.23%	16.07%	31.51%	31.42%	-2.34%	22.64%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSAX and VEXRX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.88

The correlation between PLSAX and VEXRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLSAX vs. VEXRX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PLSAX

PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VEXRX

VEXRX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VEXRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VEXRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VEXRX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VEXRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VEXRX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PLSAX vs. VEXRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PLSAX	VEXRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	1.81	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.55	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.31	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	3.16	-0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.35	12.19	+1.16

PLSAX vs. VEXRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the VEXRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSAX and VEXRX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PLSAX vs. VEXRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, roughly equal to the maximum VEXRX drawdown of -57.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSAX and VEXRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSAX	VEXRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.67%	-57.26%	+1.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-10.16%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.78%	-24.35%	+5.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.69%	-32.67%	+7.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	-39.86%	+6.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.74%	0.00%	-1.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.13%	-9.92%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	2.63%	-0.65%

Volatility

PLSAX vs. VEXRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) is 4.65%, while Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) has a volatility of 5.96%. This indicates that PLSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEXRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSAX	VEXRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.65%	5.96%	-1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.82%	13.47%	-3.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.48%	17.72%	-5.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.00%	21.42%	-4.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.55%	21.88%	-4.33%

PLSAX vs. VEXRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSAX has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXRX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSAX vs. VEXRX - Dividend Comparison

PLSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%, less than VEXRX's 6.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	2.51%	2.75%	4.07%	3.90%	2.70%	13.38%	7.35%	3.57%	7.19%	6.72%	2.93%	2.36%
VEXRX Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares	6.38%	7.54%	12.72%	0.89%	5.22%	16.17%	6.76%	5.08%	11.13%	11.46%	4.63%	10.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLSAX and VEXRX in my portfolio?

PLSAX and VEXRX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLSAX or VEXRX?

VEXRX has higher volatility (5.96%) compared to PLSAX (4.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSAX dropped -55.67% vs VEXRX's -57.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.81), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.