PNIIX vs. PLTNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PNIIX (Principal Bond Market Index Fund) and PLTNX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund) are both mutual funds - PNIIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Principal, while PLTNX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PNIIX returned 1.45%/yr vs 11.98%/yr for PLTNX. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. PNIIX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for PLTNX.

Performance

PNIIX vs. PLTNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Bond Market Index Fund (PNIIX) and Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund (PLTNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PNIIX achieves a 0.47% return, which is significantly lower than PLTNX's 11.67% return. Over the past 10 years, PNIIX has underperformed PLTNX with an annualized return of 1.45%, while PLTNX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.98% annualized return.

PNIIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 0.47%
• 6M: 0.26%
• 1Y: 5.36%
• 3Y*: 3.89%
• 5Y*: 0.07%
• 10Y*: 1.45%

PLTNX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 28.09%
• 3Y*: 19.97%
• 5Y*: 10.55%
• 10Y*: 11.98%

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

PNIIX vs. PLTNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PNIIX Principal Bond Market Index Fund	0.47%	7.01%	1.17%	5.55%	-13.26%	-1.68%	7.28%	8.47%	-0.20%	3.31%
PLTNX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund	11.67%	19.89%	17.25%	20.33%	-18.49%	19.70%	15.78%	26.17%	-9.84%	21.03%

Correlation

The correlation between PNIIX and PLTNX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	-0.02

The correlation between PNIIX and PLTNX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PNIIX vs. PLTNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PNIIX

PNIIX Risk / Return Rank: 25
PNIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
PNIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
PNIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PNIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
PNIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

PLTNX

PLTNX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PLTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
PLTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PLTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
PLTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PLTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

PNIIX vs. PLTNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Bond Market Index Fund (PNIIX) and Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund (PLTNX). 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.

	PNIIX	PLTNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.40	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	3.32	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.44	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	3.31	-1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.98	15.21	-9.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PNIIX vs. PLTNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PNIIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the PLTNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PNIIX and PLTNX, 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

	PNIIX	PLTNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.40	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.68	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.76	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.69	-0.16

Drawdowns

PNIIX vs. PLTNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PNIIX drawdown since its inception was -18.76%, smaller than the maximum PLTNX drawdown of -32.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PNIIX and PLTNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PNIIX	PLTNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.76%	-32.71%	+13.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-8.66%	+5.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.25%	-16.66%	+10.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.14%	-25.48%	+7.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.76%	-32.71%	+13.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.65%	0.00%	-2.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.45%	-4.77%	+1.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	1.88%	-0.98%

Volatility

PNIIX vs. PLTNX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Bond Market Index Fund (PNIIX) is 1.32%, while Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund (PLTNX) has a volatility of 3.42%. This indicates that PNIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLTNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PNIIX	PLTNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	3.42%	-2.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.71%	9.50%	-6.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.89%	11.98%	-8.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.31%	15.49%	-9.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.08%	15.84%	-10.76%

PNIIX vs. PLTNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PNIIX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than PLTNX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PNIIX vs. PLTNX - Dividend Comparison

PNIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, less than PLTNX's 4.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLTNX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund	4.11%	4.59%	4.40%	2.84%	9.11%	4.23%	3.11%	3.47%	4.68%	2.21%	1.99%	1.63%
PNIIX Principal Bond Market Index Fund	3.99%	4.01%	3.60%	4.18%	1.66%	2.03%	18.60%	2.40%	2.51%	2.35%	1.78%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PNIIX and PLTNX in my portfolio?

PNIIX and PLTNX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PNIIX or PLTNX?

PLTNX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to PNIIX (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PNIIX dropped -18.76% vs PLTNX's -32.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLTNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.39), 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.