PLWIX vs. PTEAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLWIX (Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund) and PTEAX (Principal Tax-Exempt Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - PLWIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while PTEAX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLWIX returned 7.37%/yr vs 2.01%/yr for PTEAX. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. PLWIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for PTEAX.

Performance

PLWIX vs. PTEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) and Principal Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (PTEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLWIX achieves a 4.62% return, which is significantly higher than PTEAX's 1.38% return. Over the past 10 years, PLWIX has outperformed PTEAX with an annualized return of 7.37%, while PTEAX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.01% annualized return.

PLWIX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 4.62%
• 6M: 4.75%
• 1Y: 12.52%
• 3Y*: 11.76%
• 5Y*: 5.37%
• 10Y*: 7.37%

PTEAX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: 1.38%
• 6M: 1.71%
• 1Y: 6.98%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: 0.36%
• 10Y*: 2.01%

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

PLWIX vs. PTEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	4.62%	11.32%	12.21%	12.23%	-14.36%	9.05%	12.70%	18.40%	-5.72%	14.96%
PTEAX Principal Tax-Exempt Bond Fund	1.38%	4.68%	2.10%	6.35%	-12.18%	2.71%	4.80%	9.05%	0.44%	6.44%

Correlation

The correlation between PLWIX and PTEAX is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2001	-0.03

The correlation between PLWIX and PTEAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLWIX vs. PTEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLWIX

PLWIX Risk / Return Rank: 55
PLWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PLWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PLWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
PLWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PLWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

PTEAX

PTEAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
PTEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
PTEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PTEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PTEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PTEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

PLWIX vs. PTEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) and Principal Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (PTEAX). 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.

	PLWIX	PTEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.33	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	3.79	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.60	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	2.21	+0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.98	7.44	+4.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLWIX vs. PTEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLWIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the PTEAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLWIX and PTEAX, 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

	PLWIX	PTEAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.33	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.09	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.46	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.32	+0.22

Drawdowns

PLWIX vs. PTEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLWIX drawdown since its inception was -49.07%, which is greater than PTEAX's maximum drawdown of -38.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLWIX and PTEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLWIX	PTEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.07%	-38.72%	-10.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.75%	-3.10%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.97%	-5.31%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.73%	-17.37%	-2.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.29%	-17.37%	-2.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.55%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.72%	-5.93%	+0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	0.92%	+0.14%

Volatility

PLWIX vs. PTEAX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) has a higher volatility of 1.92% compared to Principal Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (PTEAX) at 1.03%. This indicates that PLWIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLWIX	PTEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.92%	1.03%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.79%	2.10%	+2.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.89%	2.95%	+2.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.24%	4.00%	+4.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.57%	4.40%	+4.17%

PLWIX vs. PTEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLWIX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than PTEAX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLWIX vs. PTEAX - Dividend Comparison

PLWIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.63%, more than PTEAX's 3.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	9.63%	10.08%	11.91%	5.12%	9.82%	9.40%	5.90%	8.69%	7.35%	5.74%	3.73%	8.75%
PTEAX Principal Tax-Exempt Bond Fund	3.82%	4.66%	3.73%	2.81%	2.27%	2.15%	2.23%	3.09%	3.68%	3.69%	3.91%	3.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLWIX and PTEAX in my portfolio?

PLWIX and PTEAX have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLWIX or PTEAX?

PLWIX has higher volatility (1.92%) compared to PTEAX (1.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLWIX dropped -49.07% vs PTEAX's -38.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.17), 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.