PTDIX vs. TBLEX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

PTDIX (Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund) and TBLEX (T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 3 years, PTDIX returned 16.10%/yr vs 12.53%/yr for TBLEX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PTDIX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for TBLEX.

Performance

PTDIX vs. TBLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund (PTDIX) and T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2025 Fund (TBLEX). 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 PTDIX having a 5.76% return and TBLEX slightly higher at 5.84%.

PTDIX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -0.73%
• YTD: 5.76%
• 6M: 5.10%
• 1Y: 15.13%
• 3Y*: 16.10%
• 5Y*: 7.59%
• 10Y*: 10.73%

TBLEX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -0.60%
• YTD: 5.84%
• 6M: 5.36%
• 1Y: 14.43%
• 3Y*: 12.53%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PTDIX vs. TBLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PTDIX Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund	5.76%	15.59%	17.43%	18.33%	-18.13%	2.57%
TBLEX T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2025 Fund	5.84%	13.88%	10.29%	15.00%	-15.23%	2.43%

Correlation

The correlation between PTDIX and TBLEX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2021	0.96

The correlation between PTDIX and TBLEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PTDIX vs. TBLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTDIX

PTDIX Risk / Return Rank: 39
PTDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
PTDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
PTDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
PTDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
PTDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

TBLEX

TBLEX Risk / Return Rank: 63
TBLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
TBLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
TBLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
TBLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
TBLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

PTDIX vs. TBLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund (PTDIX) and T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2025 Fund (TBLEX). 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.

	PTDIX	TBLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.91	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.70	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.36	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	2.48	-0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.83	10.80	-1.97

PTDIX vs. TBLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTDIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the TBLEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTDIX and TBLEX, 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

PTDIX vs. TBLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTDIX drawdown since its inception was -54.38%, which is greater than TBLEX's maximum drawdown of -21.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTDIX and TBLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTDIX	TBLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.38%	-21.51%	-32.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.32%	-5.80%	-1.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.05%	-8.94%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.43%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-1.28%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.48%	-5.35%	-2.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.69%	1.33%	+0.36%

Volatility

PTDIX vs. TBLEX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund (PTDIX) has a higher volatility of 4.21% compared to T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2025 Fund (TBLEX) at 3.06%. This indicates that PTDIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TBLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTDIX	TBLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	3.06%	+1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.63%	6.32%	+2.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.44%	7.56%	+2.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.59%	9.82%	+3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.80%	9.82%	+3.98%

PTDIX vs. TBLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTDIX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than TBLEX's 0.22% 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

PTDIX vs. TBLEX - Dividend Comparison

PTDIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.27%, more than TBLEX's 3.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTDIX Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund	9.27%	9.80%	12.28%	4.40%	8.61%	8.92%	6.01%	7.26%	9.28%	6.07%	4.86%	6.73%
TBLEX T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2025 Fund	3.07%	3.25%	2.73%	2.41%	3.09%	2.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTDIX and TBLEX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, PTDIX and TBLEX 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, PTDIX or TBLEX?

PTDIX has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to TBLEX (3.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTDIX dropped -54.38% vs TBLEX's -21.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TBLEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.44), 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.