PLTZX vs. VTTHX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PLTZX (Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund) and VTTHX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, PLTZX returned 11.58%/yr vs 9.78%/yr for VTTHX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLTZX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VTTHX.

Performance

PLTZX vs. VTTHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PLTZX having a 9.19% return and VTTHX slightly lower at 9.13%. Over the past 10 years, PLTZX has outperformed VTTHX with an annualized return of 11.58%, while VTTHX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.78% annualized return.

PLTZX

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 3.95%
• YTD: 9.19%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 22.71%
• 3Y*: 18.52%
• 5Y*: 9.13%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

VTTHX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: 9.13%
• 6M: 9.79%
• 1Y: 21.88%
• 3Y*: 15.88%
• 5Y*: 7.97%
• 10Y*: 9.78%

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

PLTZX vs. VTTHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund	9.19%	17.76%	16.89%	20.36%	-18.81%	18.12%	16.60%	27.54%	-9.24%	22.68%
VTTHX Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund	9.13%	17.55%	11.56%	17.37%	-16.64%	12.96%	14.80%	22.44%	-6.57%	16.81%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTZX and VTTHX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2013	0.97

The correlation between PLTZX and VTTHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLTZX vs. VTTHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTZX

PLTZX Risk / Return Rank: 48
PLTZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PLTZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
PLTZX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PLTZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PLTZX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VTTHX

VTTHX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VTTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VTTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PLTZX vs. VTTHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX). 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.

	PLTZX	VTTHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.49	-0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	3.52	-0.73
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.47	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	3.09	-0.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.02	13.62	-1.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLTZX vs. VTTHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the VTTHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTZX and VTTHX, 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

	PLTZX	VTTHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.49	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.70	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.79	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.54	+0.17

Drawdowns

PLTZX vs. VTTHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTZX drawdown since its inception was -34.01%, smaller than the maximum VTTHX drawdown of -51.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTZX and VTTHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTZX	VTTHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.01%	-51.76%	+17.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.70%	-7.17%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.73%	-10.87%	-4.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.79%	-23.53%	-3.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.01%	-27.15%	-6.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.63%	-6.09%	+1.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.62%	+0.31%

Volatility

PLTZX vs. VTTHX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX) has a higher volatility of 3.30% compared to Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX) at 2.79%. This indicates that PLTZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTTHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTZX	VTTHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.30%	2.79%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.44%	7.17%	+2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.82%	8.89%	+2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.46%	11.38%	+4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.99%	12.46%	+3.53%

PLTZX vs. VTTHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTZX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than VTTHX's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PLTZX vs. VTTHX - Dividend Comparison

PLTZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.63%, more than VTTHX's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund	7.63%	8.33%	7.85%	4.12%	8.44%	5.29%	3.60%	5.86%	5.75%	2.73%	3.48%	3.29%
VTTHX Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund	2.71%	2.96%	3.12%	2.47%	2.71%	19.52%	2.50%	2.33%	2.69%	0.16%	2.77%	4.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTZX and VTTHX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, PLTZX and VTTHX 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, PLTZX or VTTHX?

PLTZX has higher volatility (3.30%) compared to VTTHX (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTZX dropped -34.01% vs VTTHX's -51.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 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.