PPLIX vs. PMDIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) and PMDIX (Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund) are both mutual funds - PPLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while PMDIX is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX returned 11.63%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for PMDIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PPLIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for PMDIX.

Performance

PPLIX vs. PMDIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPLIX achieves a 8.79% return, which is significantly lower than PMDIX's 16.51% return. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX has outperformed PMDIX with an annualized return of 11.63%, while PMDIX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.27% annualized return.

PPLIX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 1.71%
• YTD: 8.79%
• 6M: 8.64%
• 1Y: 21.85%
• 3Y*: 17.96%
• 5Y*: 9.66%
• 10Y*: 11.63%

PMDIX

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 4.05%
• YTD: 16.51%
• 6M: 14.74%
• 1Y: 28.20%
• 3Y*: 17.17%
• 5Y*: 11.48%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

PPLIX vs. PMDIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	8.79%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%
PMDIX Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund	16.51%	8.63%	14.56%	18.81%	-11.66%	30.41%	-6.40%	25.38%	-13.80%	13.30%

Correlation

The correlation between PPLIX and PMDIX is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 7, 2011	0.87

The correlation between PPLIX and PMDIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PPLIX vs. PMDIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

PMDIX

PMDIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
PMDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PMDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PMDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
PMDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
PMDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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. PMDIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX). 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	PMDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.89	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.85	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.33	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.69	-0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.05	9.87	+1.17

PPLIX vs. PMDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPLIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the PMDIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPLIX and PMDIX, 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. PMDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPLIX drawdown since its inception was -55.61%, which is greater than PMDIX's maximum drawdown of -46.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPLIX and PMDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPLIX	PMDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.61%	-46.47%	-9.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.57%	-10.55%	+1.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.59%	-21.36%	+5.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.85%	-21.36%	-5.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.67%	-46.47%	+13.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	0.00%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.29%	-5.28%	-3.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	2.87%	-0.92%

Volatility

PPLIX vs. PMDIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX) have volatilities of 4.79% and 4.58%, 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	PMDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.79%	4.58%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.10%	11.10%	-1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	15.00%	-2.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.58%	18.80%	-3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.63%	20.28%	-4.65%

PPLIX vs. PMDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPLIX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than PMDIX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPLIX vs. PMDIX - Dividend Comparison

PPLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.15%, more than PMDIX's 2.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMDIX Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund	2.70%	3.14%	7.99%	2.37%	6.95%	0.98%	1.37%	2.82%	17.83%	5.77%	2.84%	4.78%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.15%	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 PMDIX in my portfolio?

PPLIX and PMDIX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PPLIX or PMDIX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (4.79%) compared to PMDIX (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPLIX dropped -55.61% vs PMDIX's -46.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.76), 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.