POSIX vs. PLFIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

POSIX (Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund) and PLFIX (Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional) are both mutual funds - POSIX is a REIT fund managed by Principal, while PLFIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, POSIX returned 4.10%/yr vs 15.64%/yr for PLFIX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. POSIX charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for PLFIX.

Performance

POSIX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund (POSIX) 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, POSIX achieves a 6.90% return, which is significantly lower than PLFIX's 11.68% return. Over the past 10 years, POSIX has underperformed PLFIX with an annualized return of 4.10%, while PLFIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.64% annualized return.

POSIX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -1.83%
• YTD: 6.90%
• 6M: 6.37%
• 1Y: 9.48%
• 3Y*: 8.01%
• 5Y*: 0.31%
• 10Y*: 4.10%

PLFIX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 11.68%
• 6M: 11.75%
• 1Y: 28.92%
• 3Y*: 23.21%
• 5Y*: 14.45%
• 10Y*: 15.64%

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

POSIX vs. PLFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POSIX Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund	6.90%	7.57%	0.67%	10.87%	-26.74%	23.45%	-3.91%	24.53%	-3.35%	14.73%
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional	11.68%	17.77%	26.77%	26.00%	-18.21%	28.25%	18.11%	31.35%	-4.66%	21.65%

Correlation

The correlation between POSIX and PLFIX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2007	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between POSIX and PLFIX has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

POSIX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

POSIX

POSIX Risk / Return Rank: 9
POSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
POSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
POSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
POSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
POSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

PLFIX

PLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
PLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
PLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
PLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
PLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

POSIX vs. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund (POSIX) 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.

	POSIX	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	2.52	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.09	3.42	-2.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.46	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.89	3.34	-2.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.25	15.63	-12.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

POSIX vs. PLFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POSIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the PLFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POSIX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	POSIX	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75	2.52	-1.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.86	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.90	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	0.49	-0.31

Drawdowns

POSIX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POSIX drawdown since its inception was -68.45%, which is greater than PLFIX's maximum drawdown of -55.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POSIX and PLFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	POSIX	PLFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.45%	-55.28%	-13.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.97%	-8.90%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.02%	-18.77%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.15%	-24.58%	-9.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.70%	-33.77%	-7.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.95%	0.00%	-5.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.93%	-8.86%	-5.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.71%	1.90%	+0.81%

Volatility

POSIX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund (POSIX) has a higher volatility of 3.65% compared to Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) at 2.82%. This indicates that POSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POSIX	PLFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	2.82%	+0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.00%	8.96%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.82%	11.84%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.30%	16.91%	-0.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.99%	17.52%	-0.53%

POSIX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

POSIX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

POSIX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison

POSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than PLFIX's 2.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional	2.64%	2.95%	4.28%	4.13%	2.96%	13.60%	7.57%	3.83%	7.52%	7.01%	3.23%	2.69%
POSIX Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund	2.47%	2.64%	2.57%	2.63%	1.12%	2.40%	1.13%	6.32%	3.81%	4.16%	3.70%	4.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POSIX and PLFIX in my portfolio?

POSIX and PLFIX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POSIX or PLFIX?

POSIX has higher volatility (3.65%) compared to PLFIX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POSIX dropped -68.45% vs PLFIX's -55.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.75), 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.