PMTIX vs. FIRFX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

PMTIX (Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund) and FIRFX (Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, PMTIX returned 8.73%/yr vs 6.95%/yr for FIRFX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PMTIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for FIRFX.

Performance

PMTIX vs. FIRFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund (PMTIX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I (FIRFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMTIX achieves a 5.74% return, which is significantly lower than FIRFX's 6.28% return. Over the past 10 years, PMTIX has outperformed FIRFX with an annualized return of 8.73%, while FIRFX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.95% annualized return.

PMTIX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 5.74%
• 6M: 6.04%
• 1Y: 15.01%
• 3Y*: 13.62%
• 5Y*: 6.08%
• 10Y*: 8.73%

FIRFX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 6.28%
• 6M: 6.81%
• 1Y: 15.00%
• 3Y*: 10.81%
• 5Y*: 4.35%
• 10Y*: 6.95%

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

PMTIX vs. FIRFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMTIX Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund	5.74%	13.25%	12.86%	15.11%	-16.81%	12.70%	14.71%	22.40%	-7.45%	18.41%
FIRFX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I	6.28%	13.43%	6.55%	11.83%	-15.66%	8.02%	13.09%	17.53%	-5.07%	14.27%

Correlation

The correlation between PMTIX and FIRFX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008	0.97

The correlation between PMTIX and FIRFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PMTIX vs. FIRFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMTIX

PMTIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
PMTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PMTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
PMTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
PMTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PMTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

FIRFX

FIRFX Risk / Return Rank: 68
FIRFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
FIRFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FIRFX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FIRFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FIRFX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

PMTIX vs. FIRFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund (PMTIX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I (FIRFX). 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.

	PMTIX	FIRFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.35	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	3.40	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.46	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	2.92	-0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.39	12.68	-1.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PMTIX vs. FIRFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMTIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the FIRFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMTIX and FIRFX, 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

	PMTIX	FIRFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.35	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.53	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.83	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.52	-0.03

Drawdowns

PMTIX vs. FIRFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMTIX drawdown since its inception was -52.14%, which is greater than FIRFX's maximum drawdown of -41.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMTIX and FIRFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMTIX	FIRFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.14%	-41.29%	-10.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.85%	-5.11%	-0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.62%	-7.25%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.05%	-21.56%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.87%	-21.56%	-4.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.20%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.79%	-5.21%	-1.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.31%	1.17%	+0.14%

Volatility

PMTIX vs. FIRFX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund (PMTIX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I (FIRFX) have volatilities of 2.42% and 2.35%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMTIX	FIRFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.42%	2.35%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.17%	5.27%	+0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.64%	6.37%	+1.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.55%	8.18%	+2.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.22%	8.36%	+2.86%

PMTIX vs. FIRFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMTIX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than FIRFX's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMTIX vs. FIRFX - Dividend Comparison

PMTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.17%, more than FIRFX's 3.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIRFX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I	3.71%	2.66%	2.56%	2.43%	4.63%	5.08%	3.57%	3.80%	7.10%	24.68%	2.44%	4.49%
PMTIX Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund	9.17%	9.69%	9.60%	4.26%	10.05%	8.87%	6.37%	6.49%	8.21%	5.87%	3.97%	9.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMTIX and FIRFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PMTIX and FIRFX 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, PMTIX or FIRFX?

PMTIX has higher volatility (2.42%) compared to FIRFX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMTIX dropped -52.14% vs FIRFX's -41.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIRFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.96), 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.