PMDIX vs. PLFIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PMDIX (Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund) and PLFIX (Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional) are both mutual funds - PMDIX is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund managed by Principal, while PLFIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PMDIX returned 10.60%/yr vs 15.77%/yr for PLFIX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PMDIX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for PLFIX.

Performance

PMDIX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMDIX achieves a 17.23% return, which is significantly higher than PLFIX's 9.73% return. Over the past 10 years, PMDIX has underperformed PLFIX with an annualized return of 10.60%, while PLFIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.77% annualized return.

PMDIX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 4.70%
• YTD: 17.23%
• 6M: 15.45%
• 1Y: 27.66%
• 3Y*: 18.69%
• 5Y*: 11.12%
• 10Y*: 10.60%

PLFIX

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 9.73%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 25.42%
• 3Y*: 21.84%
• 5Y*: 13.76%
• 10Y*: 15.77%

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

PMDIX vs. PLFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMDIX Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund	17.23%	8.63%	14.56%	18.81%	-11.66%	30.41%	-6.40%	25.38%	-13.80%	13.30%
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional	9.73%	17.77%	26.77%	26.00%	-18.21%	28.25%	18.11%	31.35%	-4.66%	21.65%

Correlation

The correlation between PMDIX and PLFIX is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 7, 2011	0.83

The correlation between PMDIX and PLFIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PMDIX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMDIX

PMDIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
PMDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
PMDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PMDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PMDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PMDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

PLFIX

PLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
PLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

PMDIX vs. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PMDIX	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.15	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.91	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	3.00	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.12	13.56	-3.44

PMDIX vs. PLFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMDIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the PLFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMDIX and PLFIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PMDIX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMDIX drawdown since its inception was -46.47%, smaller than the maximum PLFIX drawdown of -55.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMDIX and PLFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMDIX	PLFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.47%	-55.28%	+8.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.55%	-8.90%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.36%	-18.77%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.36%	-24.58%	+3.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.47%	-33.77%	-12.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.74%	+1.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.28%	-8.84%	+3.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	1.97%	+0.90%

Volatility

PMDIX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX) is 4.32%, while Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) has a volatility of 4.69%. This indicates that PMDIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMDIX	PLFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	4.69%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.09%	9.84%	+1.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.03%	12.48%	+2.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.78%	17.00%	+1.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.28%	17.56%	+2.72%

PMDIX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMDIX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMDIX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison

PMDIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, which matches PLFIX's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional	2.69%	2.95%	4.28%	4.13%	2.96%	13.60%	7.57%	3.83%	7.52%	7.01%	3.23%	2.69%
PMDIX Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund	2.69%	3.14%	7.99%	2.37%	6.95%	0.98%	1.37%	2.82%	17.83%	5.77%	2.84%	4.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMDIX and PLFIX in my portfolio?

PMDIX and PLFIX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PMDIX or PLFIX?

PLFIX has higher volatility (4.69%) compared to PMDIX (4.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMDIX dropped -46.47% vs PLFIX's -55.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.94), 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.