PLSIX vs. FRAMX

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

PLSIX (Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund) and FRAMX (Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement Income Fund Class A) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, PLSIX returned 5.21%/yr vs 173.41%/yr for FRAMX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLSIX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for FRAMX.

Performance

PLSIX vs. FRAMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund (PLSIX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement Income Fund Class A (FRAMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLSIX achieves a 3.97% return, which is significantly lower than FRAMX's 1,644,791.35% return. Over the past 10 years, PLSIX has underperformed FRAMX with an annualized return of 5.21%, while FRAMX has yielded a comparatively higher 173.41% annualized return.

PLSIX

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 3.97%
• 6M: 4.14%
• 1Y: 10.85%
• 3Y*: 9.29%
• 5Y*: 4.09%
• 10Y*: 5.21%

FRAMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1,600,339.52%
• YTD: 1,644,791.35%
• 6M: 1,648,114.72%
• 1Y: 1,734,538.09%
• 3Y*: 2,587.16%
• 5Y*: 609.67%
• 10Y*: 173.41%

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

PLSIX vs. FRAMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLSIX Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund	3.97%	10.46%	8.16%	10.93%	-13.11%	4.40%	10.19%	12.77%	-3.15%	8.73%
FRAMX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement Income Fund Class A	1,644,791.35%	9.55%	4.04%	7.80%	-11.87%	2.52%	8.30%	10.28%	-2.05%	6.82%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSIX and FRAMX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2007	0.87

The correlation between PLSIX and FRAMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLSIX vs. FRAMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLSIX

PLSIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
PLSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
PLSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PLSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PLSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
PLSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

FRAMX

FRAMX Risk / Return Rank: 84
FRAMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
FRAMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
FRAMX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
FRAMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
FRAMX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

PLSIX vs. FRAMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund (PLSIX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement Income Fund Class A (FRAMX). 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.

	PLSIX	FRAMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	1.13	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	548,066.01	-548,063.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	76,256.04	-76,254.67
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	523,251.81	-523,249.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.12	2,184,998.29	-2,184,987.18

PLSIX vs. FRAMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is higher than the FRAMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSIX and FRAMX, 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

PLSIX vs. FRAMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSIX drawdown since its inception was -40.52%, which is greater than FRAMX's maximum drawdown of -33.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSIX and FRAMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSIX	FRAMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.52%	-33.94%	-6.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.30%	-3.45%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.92%	-5.02%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.93%	-16.31%	-1.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.93%	-16.31%	-1.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	0.00%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-3.83%	-2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.82%	+0.15%

Volatility

PLSIX vs. FRAMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund (PLSIX) is 2.36%, while Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement Income Fund Class A (FRAMX) has a volatility of 967.30%. This indicates that PLSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRAMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSIX	FRAMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.36%	967.30%	-964.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.74%	967.35%	-962.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.64%	1,589,373.65%	-1,589,368.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.89%	712,204.02%	-712,197.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.92%	503,203.49%	-503,197.57%

PLSIX vs. FRAMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSIX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than FRAMX's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSIX vs. FRAMX - Dividend Comparison

PLSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.57%, less than FRAMX's 102.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRAMX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement Income Fund Class A	102.97%	2.77%	2.77%	2.58%	4.26%	3.31%	2.23%	2.37%	4.40%	8.26%	1.42%	1.42%
PLSIX Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund	5.57%	5.79%	6.17%	2.59%	5.27%	7.76%	3.80%	5.45%	7.67%	4.76%	2.50%	2.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLSIX and FRAMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, PLSIX and FRAMX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PLSIX or FRAMX?

FRAMX has higher volatility (967.30%) compared to PLSIX (2.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSIX dropped -40.52% vs FRAMX's -33.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.13), 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.