PLTHX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLTHX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLTHX returned 12.09%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for PPLIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLTHX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

PLTHX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund (PLTHX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLTHX achieves a 11.70% return, which is significantly higher than PPLIX's 9.45% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLTHX having a 12.09% annualized return and PPLIX not far behind at 11.60%.

PLTHX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 5.53%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 28.05%
• 3Y*: 19.98%
• 5Y*: 10.55%
• 10Y*: 12.09%

PPLIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 9.80%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: 11.60%

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

PLTHX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLTHX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund	11.70%	19.91%	17.18%	20.28%	-18.52%	20.05%	16.11%	26.46%	-9.93%	21.32%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.45%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTHX and PPLIX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	0.99

The correlation between PLTHX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLTHX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTHX

PLTHX Risk / Return Rank: 70
PLTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
PLTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
PLTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
PLTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PLTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund (PLTHX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). 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.

	PLTHX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	1.99	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	2.81	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.37	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	2.68	+0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.30	12.05	+3.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLTHX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTHX and PPLIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLTHX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	1.99	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.62	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.75	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.46	+0.24

Drawdowns

PLTHX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTHX drawdown since its inception was -33.26%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTHX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTHX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.26%	-55.61%	+22.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.60%	-8.57%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.64%	-15.59%	-1.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.49%	-26.85%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.26%	-32.67%	-0.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.81%	-8.30%	+3.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	1.90%	-0.03%

Volatility

PLTHX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund (PLTHX) has a higher volatility of 3.42% compared to Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) at 3.25%. This indicates that PLTHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PPLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTHX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	3.25%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	9.22%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.93%	11.56%	+0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.50%	15.47%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.97%	15.59%	+0.38%

PLTHX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTHX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than PPLIX's 0.01% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PLTHX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

PLTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%, less than PPLIX's 9.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLTHX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund	3.91%	4.37%	4.30%	2.76%	7.91%	3.84%	2.91%	3.67%	3.47%	2.37%	2.20%	1.65%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.09%	9.95%	11.56%	4.41%	9.40%	8.04%	5.23%	7.16%	8.64%	5.12%	4.82%	6.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTHX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, PLTHX and PPLIX 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, PLTHX or PPLIX?

PLTHX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to PPLIX (3.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTHX dropped -33.26% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.99), 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.