PLTHX vs. SACAX
PLTHX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund) and SACAX (Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio) are both mutual funds - PLTHX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while SACAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLTHX returned 12.09%/yr vs 12.25%/yr for SACAX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLTHX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SACAX.
Performance
PLTHX vs. SACAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with PLTHX at 11.70% and SACAX at 11.70%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLTHX having a 12.09% annualized return and SACAX not far ahead at 12.25%.
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%
SACAX
- 1D
- 0.54%
- 1M
- 4.86%
- YTD
- 11.70%
- 6M
- 12.35%
- 1Y
- 25.25%
- 3Y*
- 21.69%
- 5Y*
- 11.11%
- 10Y*
- 12.25%
PLTHX vs. SACAX - 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% |
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio | 11.70% | 16.56% | 24.20% | 21.42% | -19.06% | 19.34% | 15.11% | 26.87% | -9.13% | 21.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between PLTHX and SACAX 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 | 0.98 |
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 SACAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PLTHX vs. SACAX — Risk / Return Rank
PLTHX
SACAX
PLTHX vs. SACAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund (PLTHX) and Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX). 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 | SACAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.41 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.34 | 2.92 | +0.42 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.30 | 13.07 | +2.24 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PLTHX | SACAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.41 | 2.22 | +0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.68 | 0.71 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.76 | 0.77 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.69 | 0.48 | +0.22 |
Drawdowns
PLTHX vs. SACAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PLTHX drawdown since its inception was -33.26%, smaller than the maximum SACAX drawdown of -54.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTHX and SACAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PLTHX | SACAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.26% | -54.31% | +21.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.60% | -8.85% | +0.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.64% | -15.88% | -0.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.49% | -26.96% | +1.47% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.26% | -34.90% | +1.64% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.81% | -9.79% | +4.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.87% | 1.97% | -0.10% |
Volatility
PLTHX vs. SACAX - Volatility Comparison
Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund (PLTHX) and Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) have volatilities of 3.42% and 3.34%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| PLTHX | SACAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.42% | 3.34% | +0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.46% | 9.29% | +0.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.93% | 11.60% | +0.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.50% | 15.63% | -0.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.97% | 16.05% | -0.08% |
PLTHX vs. SACAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PLTHX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SACAX's 0.61% expense ratio.
Dividends
PLTHX vs. SACAX - Dividend Comparison
PLTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%, less than SACAX's 10.74% 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% |
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio | 10.74% | 11.99% | 13.37% | 1.16% | 9.30% | 7.53% | 4.02% | 4.47% | 20.79% | 6.82% | 3.68% | 14.08% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, PLTHX and SACAX 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.
PLTHX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to SACAX (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTHX dropped -33.26% vs SACAX's -54.31%.
PLTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.22), 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.
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