PLTQX vs. PLTZX
PLTQX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund) and PLTZX (Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLTQX returned 10.54%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for PLTZX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLTQX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLTZX.
Performance
PLTQX vs. PLTZX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PLTQX having a 9.40% return and PLTZX slightly higher at 9.67%. Over the past 10 years, PLTQX has underperformed PLTZX with an annualized return of 10.54%, while PLTZX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.62% annualized return.
PLTQX
- 1D
- 0.39%
- 1M
- 4.46%
- YTD
- 9.40%
- 6M
- 9.81%
- 1Y
- 23.24%
- 3Y*
- 17.04%
- 5Y*
- 8.71%
- 10Y*
- 10.54%
PLTZX
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- 4.72%
- YTD
- 9.67%
- 6M
- 10.04%
- 1Y
- 22.84%
- 3Y*
- 18.70%
- 5Y*
- 9.32%
- 10Y*
- 11.62%
PLTQX vs. PLTZX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLTQX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund | 9.40% | 17.25% | 14.58% | 18.16% | -17.90% | 17.09% | 15.41% | 23.86% | -8.61% | 19.16% |
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund | 9.67% | 17.76% | 16.89% | 20.36% | -18.81% | 18.12% | 16.60% | 27.54% | -9.24% | 22.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between PLTQX and PLTZX 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 PLTQX and PLTZX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PLTQX vs. PLTZX — Risk / Return Rank
PLTQX
PLTZX
PLTQX vs. PLTZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund (PLTQX) and Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX). 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.
| PLTQX | PLTZX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.41 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.58 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.37 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.26 | 2.68 | +0.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.92 | 12.08 | +2.84 |
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
| PLTQX | PLTZX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.39 | 1.98 | +0.41 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.65 | 0.61 | +0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.77 | 0.73 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.00 |
Drawdowns
PLTQX vs. PLTZX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PLTQX drawdown since its inception was -29.05%, smaller than the maximum PLTZX drawdown of -34.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTQX and PLTZX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PLTQX | PLTZX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.05% | -34.01% | +4.96% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.29% | -8.70% | +1.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.75% | -15.73% | +1.98% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.18% | -26.79% | +2.61% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -29.05% | -34.01% | +4.96% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.41% | -4.63% | +0.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.59% | 1.93% | -0.34% |
Volatility
PLTQX vs. PLTZX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund (PLTQX) is 2.91%, while Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX) has a volatility of 3.30%. This indicates that PLTQX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLTZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PLTQX | PLTZX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.91% | 3.30% | -0.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.91% | 9.44% | -1.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.94% | 11.80% | -1.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.38% | 15.46% | -2.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.80% | 15.99% | -2.19% |
PLTQX vs. PLTZX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PLTQX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than PLTZX'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
PLTQX vs. PLTZX - Dividend Comparison
PLTQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, less than PLTZX's 7.60% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLTQX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund | 4.11% | 4.50% | 4.19% | 3.14% | 8.95% | 5.00% | 3.85% | 3.84% | 4.47% | 2.37% | 2.34% | 1.65% |
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund | 7.60% | 8.33% | 7.85% | 4.12% | 8.44% | 5.29% | 3.60% | 5.86% | 5.75% | 2.73% | 3.48% | 3.29% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, PLTQX and PLTZX 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.
PLTZX has higher volatility (3.30%) compared to PLTQX (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTQX dropped -29.05% vs PLTZX's -34.01%.
PLTQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.98), 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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