PMTIX vs. RFETX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PMTIX (Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund) and RFETX (American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, PMTIX returned 8.80%/yr vs 9.43%/yr for RFETX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PMTIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for RFETX.

Performance

PMTIX vs. RFETX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund (PMTIX) and American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFETX). 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 PMTIX having a 6.02% return and RFETX slightly higher at 6.13%. Over the past 10 years, PMTIX has underperformed RFETX with an annualized return of 8.80%, while RFETX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.43% annualized return.

PMTIX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 2.99%
• YTD: 6.02%
• 6M: 6.25%
• 1Y: 15.56%
• 3Y*: 13.63%
• 5Y*: 6.27%
• 10Y*: 8.80%

RFETX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 2.57%
• YTD: 6.13%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 16.55%
• 3Y*: 13.77%
• 5Y*: 7.10%
• 10Y*: 9.43%

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

PMTIX vs. RFETX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMTIX Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund	6.02%	13.25%	12.86%	15.11%	-16.81%	12.70%	14.71%	22.40%	-7.45%	18.41%
RFETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	6.13%	15.73%	10.86%	14.52%	-14.50%	13.22%	15.17%	20.03%	-4.14%	18.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PMTIX and RFETX 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	0.96
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 Jan 5, 2010	0.97

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

Return for Risk

PMTIX vs. RFETX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMTIX

PMTIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
PMTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
PMTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
PMTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
PMTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
PMTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

RFETX

RFETX Risk / Return Rank: 62
RFETX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
RFETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
RFETX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
RFETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
RFETX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. RFETX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund (PMTIX) and American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFETX). 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	RFETX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.33	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.38	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.45	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.78	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.06	12.39	-0.34
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. RFETX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the RFETX Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMTIX and RFETX, 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	RFETX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.33	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.73	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.89	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.81	-0.32

Drawdowns

PMTIX vs. RFETX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMTIX drawdown since its inception was -52.14%, which is greater than RFETX's maximum drawdown of -22.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMTIX and RFETX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMTIX	RFETX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.14%	-22.29%	-29.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.85%	-6.08%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.62%	-8.68%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.05%	-20.81%	-2.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.87%	-22.29%	-3.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.79%	-3.28%	-3.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.31%	1.36%	-0.05%

Volatility

PMTIX vs. RFETX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund (PMTIX) has a higher volatility of 2.40% compared to American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFETX) at 2.25%. This indicates that PMTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFETX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMTIX	RFETX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.40%	2.25%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.15%	5.80%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.61%	7.24%	+0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.55%	9.73%	+0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.22%	10.67%	+0.55%

PMTIX vs. RFETX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMTIX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than RFETX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMTIX vs. RFETX - Dividend Comparison

PMTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.14%, more than RFETX's 6.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMTIX Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund	9.14%	9.69%	9.60%	4.26%	10.05%	8.87%	6.37%	6.49%	8.21%	5.87%	3.97%	9.44%
RFETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	6.24%	6.62%	4.04%	3.00%	4.73%	6.77%	3.86%	4.26%	4.81%	2.86%	3.77%	5.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMTIX and RFETX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PMTIX and RFETX 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 RFETX?

PMTIX has higher volatility (2.40%) compared to RFETX (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMTIX dropped -52.14% vs RFETX's -22.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFETX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.09), 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.