RBATX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RBATX (American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R2) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, RBATX returned 5.20%/yr vs 11.26%/yr for PPLIX. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RBATX charges 1.37%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

RBATX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R2 (RBATX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RBATX achieves a 3.73% return, which is significantly lower than PPLIX's 8.51% return. Over the past 10 years, RBATX has underperformed PPLIX with an annualized return of 5.20%, while PPLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.26% annualized return.

RBATX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -0.08%
• 6M: 2.12%
• YTD: 3.73%
• 1Y: 8.48%
• 3Y*: 8.60%
• 5Y*: 4.18%
• 10Y*: 5.20%
• ALL TIME*: 4.37%

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%

*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)
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
RBATX American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R2	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RBATX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RBATX American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R2	3.73%	11.80%	7.05%	7.53%	-10.21%	8.18%	8.06%	12.59%	-3.57%	9.21%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between RBATX and PPLIX is 0.85, 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.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008	0.91

The correlation between RBATX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RBATX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RBATX

RBATX Risk / Return Rank: 60
RBATX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
RBATX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
RBATX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
RBATX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
RBATX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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

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.

RBATX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R2 (RBATX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). 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.

	RBATX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.25	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	1.80	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.23	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	1.83	+0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.82	7.85	-0.02

RBATX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBATX Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is higher than the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBATX and PPLIX, 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

RBATX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBATX drawdown since its inception was -38.65%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBATX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBATX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.65%	-55.61%	+16.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.49%	-8.57%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.07%	-15.59%	+10.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.49%	-26.85%	+11.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.49%	-32.67%	+17.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.86%	+0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.23%	-8.26%	+4.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	2.00%	-0.94%

Volatility

RBATX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R2 (RBATX) is 1.16%, while Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) has a volatility of 3.39%. This indicates that RBATX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PPLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBATX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	3.39%	-2.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.01%	10.35%	-6.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.98%	12.57%	-7.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.55%	15.60%	-9.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.66%	15.55%	-8.89%

RBATX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBATX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is higher than PPLIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBATX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

RBATX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.93%, less than PPLIX's 9.17% 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%
RBATX American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R2	5.93%	6.15%	4.36%	2.80%	2.58%	3.02%	3.02%	2.73%	3.00%	1.73%	1.96%	3.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBATX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

RBATX and PPLIX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RBATX or PPLIX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (3.39%) compared to RBATX (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBATX dropped -38.65% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBATX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 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.