PLTQX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLTQX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLTQX returned 10.54%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for PPLIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLTQX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

PLTQX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund (PLTQX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PLTQX having a 9.40% return and PPLIX slightly higher at 9.45%. Over the past 10 years, PLTQX has underperformed PPLIX with an annualized return of 10.54%, while PPLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.60% 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%

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)

PLTQX vs. PPLIX - 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%
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 PLTQX 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 PLTQX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLTQX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTQX

PLTQX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PLTQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
PLTQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
PLTQX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
PLTQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
PLTQX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

PLTQX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund (PLTQX) 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.

	PLTQX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	1.99	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	2.81	+0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.37	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.26	2.68	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.92	12.05	+2.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLTQX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTQX Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTQX 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

	PLTQX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	1.99	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.62	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.75	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.46	+0.25

Drawdowns

PLTQX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTQX drawdown since its inception was -29.05%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTQX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTQX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.05%	-55.61%	+26.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-8.57%	+1.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.75%	-15.59%	+1.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.18%	-26.85%	+2.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.05%	-32.67%	+3.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.41%	-8.30%	+3.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	1.90%	-0.31%

Volatility

PLTQX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund (PLTQX) is 2.91%, while Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) has a volatility of 3.25%. This indicates that PLTQX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PPLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTQX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	3.25%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.91%	9.22%	-1.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.94%	11.56%	-1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.38%	15.47%	-2.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.80%	15.59%	-1.79%

PLTQX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTQX 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

PLTQX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

PLTQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, less than PPLIX's 9.09% 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%
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 PLTQX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, PLTQX 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, PLTQX or PPLIX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (3.25%) compared to PLTQX (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTQX dropped -29.05% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLTQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 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.