PPLIX vs. PHTJX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) and PHTJX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2035 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from Principal. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX returned 11.60%/yr vs 9.64%/yr for PHTJX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PPLIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for PHTJX.

Performance

PPLIX vs. PHTJX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2035 Fund (PHTJX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPLIX achieves a 9.45% return, which is significantly higher than PHTJX's 8.12% return. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX has outperformed PHTJX with an annualized return of 11.60%, while PHTJX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.64% annualized return.

PPLIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 9.80%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: 11.60%

PHTJX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 3.84%
• YTD: 8.12%
• 6M: 8.45%
• 1Y: 20.49%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 7.51%
• 10Y*: 9.64%

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

PPLIX vs. PHTJX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.45%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%
PHTJX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2035 Fund	8.12%	15.57%	12.67%	16.45%	-17.37%	15.57%	15.13%	22.69%	-8.00%	18.13%

Correlation

The correlation between PPLIX and PHTJX is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	0.99

The correlation between PPLIX and PHTJX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PPLIX vs. PHTJX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

PHTJX

PHTJX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PHTJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
PHTJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
PHTJX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
PHTJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
PHTJX 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.

PPLIX vs. PHTJX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2035 Fund (PHTJX). 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.

	PPLIX	PHTJX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.41	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	3.43	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.45	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	3.22	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.05	14.61	-2.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PPLIX vs. PHTJX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPLIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the PHTJX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPLIX and PHTJX, 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

	PPLIX	PHTJX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	2.41	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.64	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.77	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.71	-0.25

Drawdowns

PPLIX vs. PHTJX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPLIX drawdown since its inception was -55.61%, which is greater than PHTJX's maximum drawdown of -27.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPLIX and PHTJX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPLIX	PHTJX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.61%	-27.17%	-28.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.57%	-6.47%	-2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.59%	-11.58%	-4.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.85%	-23.12%	-3.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.67%	-27.17%	-5.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-4.19%	-4.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	1.42%	+0.48%

Volatility

PPLIX vs. PHTJX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) has a higher volatility of 3.25% compared to Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2035 Fund (PHTJX) at 2.70%. This indicates that PPLIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PHTJX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PPLIX	PHTJX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.25%	2.70%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.22%	6.94%	+2.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.56%	8.66%	+2.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.47%	11.79%	+3.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.59%	12.51%	+3.08%

PPLIX vs. PHTJX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPLIX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than PHTJX's 0.05% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PPLIX vs. PHTJX - Dividend Comparison

PPLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.09%, more than PHTJX's 4.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PHTJX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2035 Fund	4.33%	4.68%	4.09%	3.37%	8.44%	4.96%	3.98%	3.71%	4.01%	2.31%	1.99%	1.67%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.09%	9.95%	11.56%	4.41%	9.40%	8.04%	5.23%	7.16%	8.64%	5.12%	4.82%	6.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PPLIX and PHTJX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, PPLIX and PHTJX 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, PPLIX or PHTJX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (3.25%) compared to PHTJX (2.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPLIX dropped -55.61% vs PHTJX's -27.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PHTJX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.99), 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.