PPLIX vs. VTI
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 11.37%/yr vs 14.66%/yr for VTI. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. PPLIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
PPLIX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PPLIX achieves a 8.90% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, PPLIX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 11.37%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.66% annualized return.
PPLIX
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- 0.77%
- 6M
- 5.52%
- YTD
- 8.90%
- 1Y
- 18.12%
- 3Y*
- 16.85%
- 5Y*
- 9.04%
- 10Y*
- 11.37%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.58%
VTI
- 1D
- 1.53%
- 1M
- 1.38%
- 6M
- 9.81%
- YTD
- 12.18%
- 1Y
- 23.70%
- 3Y*
- 20.38%
- 5Y*
- 12.06%
- 10Y*
- 14.66%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.64%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $1.08B | $1.16B | $1.24B |
PPLIX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund | 8.90% | 17.55% | 19.12% | 20.36% | -18.78% | 17.04% | 16.56% | 26.67% | -8.74% | 22.12% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 12.18% | 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 0.95, 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. | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.96 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 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.
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Return for Risk
PPLIX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
PPLIX
VTI
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 ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.61 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.32 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.96 | 2.67 | -0.71 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.41 | 11.50 | -3.10 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PPLIX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.51% | 0.00% | -0.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.26% | -7.98% | -0.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 2.07% | -0.08% |
Volatility
PPLIX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) is 3.35%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 3.78%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| PPLIX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.35% | 3.78% | -0.43% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.36% | 10.33% | +0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.57% | 13.08% | -0.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.60% | 17.53% | -1.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.55% | 18.31% | -2.76% |
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 9.14%, 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 | 9.14% | 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
With a correlation of 0.95, 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.
VTI has higher volatility (3.78%) compared to PPLIX (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPLIX dropped -55.61% vs VTI's -55.45%.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.34), 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.
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