PPLIX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - PPLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX returned 11.93%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for VTI. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PPLIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

PPLIX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PPLIX having a 8.46% return and VTI slightly higher at 8.82%. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 11.93%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.14% annualized return.

PPLIX

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 8.46%
• 6M: 7.90%
• 1Y: 20.46%
• 3Y*: 18.61%
• 5Y*: 9.30%
• 10Y*: 11.93%

VTI

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 8.82%
• 6M: 7.71%
• 1Y: 24.22%
• 3Y*: 20.62%
• 5Y*: 11.90%
• 10Y*: 15.14%

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

PPLIX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	8.46%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	8.82%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PPLIX and VTI is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001	0.96

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

Return for Risk

PPLIX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 47
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 59
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.90	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.59	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	2.73	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.06	12.14	-1.08

PPLIX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPLIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPLIX and VTI, 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. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPLIX drawdown since its inception was -55.61%, roughly equal to the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPLIX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPLIX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.61%	-55.45%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.57%	-8.92%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.59%	-19.30%	+3.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.85%	-25.36%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.67%	-35.00%	+2.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	-2.85%	+1.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.29%	-8.01%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	2.00%	-0.05%

Volatility

PPLIX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) is 4.70%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.95%. This indicates that PPLIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PPLIX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.70%	4.95%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	10.05%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.25%	12.83%	-0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.57%	17.51%	-1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.63%	18.32%	-2.69%

PPLIX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPLIX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than VTI's 0.03% 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

PPLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.17%, more than VTI's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PPLIX and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, PPLIX and VTI 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 VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to PPLIX (4.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPLIX dropped -55.61% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 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.