PPLIX vs. PLSAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) and PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - PPLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX returned 11.26%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PLSAX. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. PPLIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for PLSAX.

Performance

PPLIX vs. PLSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPLIX achieves a 8.51% return, which is significantly lower than PLSAX's 9.18% return. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX has underperformed PLSAX with an annualized return of 11.26%, while PLSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.68% annualized return.

PPLIX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: 0.41%
• 6M: 5.71%
• YTD: 8.51%
• 1Y: 17.70%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: 8.96%
• 10Y*: 11.26%
• ALL TIME*: 7.57%

PLSAX

• 1D: 1.64%
• 1M: -0.59%
• 6M: 7.65%
• YTD: 9.18%
• 1Y: 20.30%
• 3Y*: 19.22%
• 5Y*: 12.59%
• 10Y*: 14.68%
• ALL TIME*: 8.01%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PPLIX vs. PLSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	8.51%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	9.18%	17.50%	26.46%	25.70%	-18.41%	27.93%	17.85%	30.97%	-4.93%	21.23%

Correlation

The correlation between PPLIX and PLSAX is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2001	0.96

The correlation between PPLIX and PLSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PPLIX vs. PLSAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 48
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

PLSAX

PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PPLIX vs. PLSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PPLIX	PLSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.40	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	1.97	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.25	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	2.02	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.85	8.64	-0.80

PPLIX vs. PLSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPLIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the PLSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPLIX and PLSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PPLIX vs. PLSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPLIX drawdown since its inception was -55.61%, roughly equal to the maximum PLSAX drawdown of -55.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPLIX and PLSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPLIX	PLSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.61%	-55.67%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.57%	-8.94%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.59%	-18.78%	+3.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.85%	-24.69%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.67%	-33.79%	+1.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-2.16%	+1.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.26%	-10.10%	+1.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	2.08%	-0.08%

Volatility

PPLIX vs. PLSAX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) have volatilities of 3.39% and 3.42%, 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

	PPLIX	PLSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.39%	3.42%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.35%	10.07%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.57%	12.84%	-0.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.60%	17.03%	-1.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.55%	17.50%	-1.95%

PPLIX vs. PLSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPLIX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than PLSAX's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPLIX vs. PLSAX - Dividend Comparison

PPLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.17%, more than PLSAX's 2.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	2.52%	2.75%	4.07%	3.90%	2.70%	13.38%	7.35%	3.57%	7.19%	6.72%	2.93%	2.36%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.17%	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 PLSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, PPLIX and PLSAX 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 PLSAX?

PLSAX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to PPLIX (3.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPLIX dropped -55.61% vs PLSAX's -55.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.25), 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.