PLTHX vs. PCBIX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PLTHX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund) and PCBIX (Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - PLTHX 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, PLTHX returned 11.76%/yr vs 11.89%/yr for PCBIX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLTHX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for PCBIX.

Performance

PLTHX vs. PCBIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund (PLTHX) 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, PLTHX achieves a 10.73% return, which is significantly higher than PCBIX's -4.41% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLTHX having a 11.76% annualized return and PCBIX not far ahead at 11.89%.

PLTHX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 0.05%
• 6M: 7.85%
• YTD: 10.73%
• 1Y: 22.32%
• 3Y*: 17.77%
• 5Y*: 10.29%
• 10Y*: 11.76%

PCBIX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 0.79%
• 6M: -7.11%
• YTD: -4.41%
• 1Y: -8.10%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: 5.11%
• 10Y*: 11.89%

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

PLTHX vs. PCBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLTHX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund	10.73%	19.91%	17.18%	20.28%	-18.52%	20.05%	16.11%	26.46%	-9.93%	21.32%
PCBIX Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class	-4.41%	1.62%	23.63%	25.92%	-23.16%	25.22%	18.25%	49.40%	-6.86%	25.32%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTHX and PCBIX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.89

Over the past year, the correlation between PLTHX and PCBIX has dropped to 0.65 - well below their long-term average of 0.89, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PLTHX vs. PCBIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTHX

PLTHX Risk / Return Rank: 62
PLTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
PLTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
PLTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
PLTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PLTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

PLTHX vs. PCBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund (PLTHX) 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.

	PLTHX	PCBIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	-0.60	+2.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	-0.77	+3.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	0.91	+0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	-0.46	+3.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.10	-0.92	+12.02

PLTHX vs. PCBIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is higher than the PCBIX Sharpe Ratio of -0.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTHX 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

PLTHX vs. PCBIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTHX drawdown since its inception was -33.26%, smaller than the maximum PCBIX drawdown of -50.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTHX and PCBIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTHX	PCBIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.26%	-50.25%	+16.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.60%	-19.29%	+10.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.64%	-19.29%	+2.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.49%	-31.17%	+5.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.26%	-40.56%	+7.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-10.66%	+9.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.77%	-6.58%	+1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	9.58%	-7.61%

Volatility

PLTHX vs. PCBIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund (PLTHX) and Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class (PCBIX) have volatilities of 3.97% and 3.82%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTHX	PCBIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	3.82%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.74%	11.65%	-0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.89%	14.67%	-1.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.65%	18.70%	-3.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.94%	19.10%	-3.16%

PLTHX vs. PCBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTHX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PCBIX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTHX vs. PCBIX - Dividend Comparison

PLTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.94%, less than PCBIX's 6.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCBIX Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class	6.08%	5.81%	6.40%	2.51%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.02%	12.24%	3.31%	2.49%	6.30%
PLTHX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund	3.94%	4.37%	4.30%	2.76%	7.91%	3.84%	2.91%	3.67%	3.47%	2.37%	2.20%	1.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTHX and PCBIX in my portfolio?

PLTHX and PCBIX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLTHX or PCBIX?

PLTHX has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to PCBIX (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTHX dropped -33.26% vs PCBIX's -50.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs -0.60), 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.