PLSIX vs. PCBIX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

PLSIX (Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund) and PCBIX (Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - PLSIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while PCBIX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLSIX returned 5.17%/yr vs 12.24%/yr for PCBIX. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PLSIX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for PCBIX.

Performance

PLSIX vs. PCBIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLSIX achieves a 3.11% return, which is significantly higher than PCBIX's -7.10% return. Over the past 10 years, PLSIX has underperformed PCBIX with an annualized return of 5.17%, while PCBIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.24% annualized return.

PLSIX

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 2.76%
• 1Y: 8.80%
• 3Y*: 9.23%
• 5Y*: 3.82%
• 10Y*: 5.17%

PCBIX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 2.50%
• YTD: -7.10%
• 6M: -8.62%
• 1Y: -9.88%
• 3Y*: 9.58%
• 5Y*: 4.53%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

PLSIX vs. PCBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLSIX Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund	3.11%	10.46%	8.16%	10.93%	-13.11%	4.40%	10.19%	12.77%	-3.15%	8.73%
PCBIX Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class	-7.10%	1.62%	23.63%	25.92%	-23.16%	25.22%	18.25%	49.40%	-6.86%	25.32%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSIX and PCBIX is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2001	0.80

The correlation between PLSIX and PCBIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLSIX vs. PCBIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLSIX

PLSIX Risk / Return Rank: 47
PLSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PLSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
PLSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
PLSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
PLSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

PCBIX

PCBIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
PCBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PCBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PCBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PCBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
PCBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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. PCBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund (PLSIX) and Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class (PCBIX). 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	PCBIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	-0.63	+2.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	-0.81	+3.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	0.91	+0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	-0.47	+2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.75	-0.99	+10.74

PLSIX vs. PCBIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is higher than the PCBIX Sharpe Ratio of -0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSIX and PCBIX, 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. PCBIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSIX drawdown since its inception was -40.52%, smaller than the maximum PCBIX drawdown of -50.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSIX and PCBIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSIX	PCBIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.52%	-50.25%	+9.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.30%	-19.29%	+14.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.92%	-19.29%	+13.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.93%	-31.17%	+13.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.93%	-40.56%	+22.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-13.17%	+12.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-6.57%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	9.20%	-8.23%

Volatility

PLSIX vs. PCBIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund (PLSIX) is 2.36%, while Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class (PCBIX) has a volatility of 4.42%. This indicates that PLSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PCBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSIX	PCBIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.36%	4.42%	-2.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.77%	11.64%	-6.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.68%	14.64%	-8.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.90%	18.69%	-11.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.91%	19.14%	-13.23%

PLSIX vs. PCBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSIX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than PCBIX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSIX vs. PCBIX - Dividend Comparison

PLSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.62%, less than PCBIX's 6.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCBIX Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class	6.26%	5.81%	6.40%	2.51%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.02%	12.24%	3.31%	2.49%	6.30%
PLSIX Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund	5.62%	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 PCBIX in my portfolio?

PLSIX and PCBIX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLSIX or PCBIX?

PCBIX has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to PLSIX (2.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSIX dropped -40.52% vs PCBIX's -50.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs -0.63), 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.