RFETX vs. LTSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFETX (American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6) and LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, RFETX returned 9.43%/yr vs 8.05%/yr for LTSTX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. RFETX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTSTX.

Performance

RFETX vs. LTSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFETX) and Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFETX achieves a 6.13% return, which is significantly higher than LTSTX's 5.20% return. Over the past 10 years, RFETX has outperformed LTSTX with an annualized return of 9.43%, while LTSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.05% annualized return.

RFETX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 2.57%
• YTD: 6.13%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 16.55%
• 3Y*: 13.77%
• 5Y*: 7.10%
• 10Y*: 9.43%

LTSTX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 5.20%
• 6M: 5.33%
• 1Y: 13.74%
• 3Y*: 12.33%
• 5Y*: 5.67%
• 10Y*: 8.05%

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

RFETX vs. LTSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	6.13%	15.73%	10.86%	14.52%	-14.50%	13.22%	15.17%	20.03%	-4.14%	18.53%
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	5.20%	12.16%	11.91%	13.30%	-15.23%	10.91%	13.70%	20.50%	-6.41%	16.75%

Correlation

The correlation between RFETX and LTSTX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2010	0.97

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

Return for Risk

RFETX vs. LTSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFETX

RFETX Risk / Return Rank: 62
RFETX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
RFETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
RFETX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
RFETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
RFETX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

LTSTX

LTSTX Risk / Return Rank: 53
LTSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
LTSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
LTSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
LTSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LTSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

RFETX vs. LTSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFETX) and Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX). 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.

	RFETX	LTSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.11	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.05	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.41	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	2.67	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	12.06	+0.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFETX vs. LTSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFETX Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the LTSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFETX and LTSTX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RFETX	LTSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	2.11	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.62	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	0.82	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.48	+0.33

Drawdowns

RFETX vs. LTSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFETX drawdown since its inception was -22.29%, smaller than the maximum LTSTX drawdown of -48.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFETX and LTSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFETX	LTSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.29%	-48.17%	+25.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.08%	-5.24%	-0.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.68%	-8.12%	-0.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.81%	-21.01%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.29%	-23.33%	+1.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-6.16%	+2.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.36%	1.16%	+0.20%

Volatility

RFETX vs. LTSTX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFETX) has a higher volatility of 2.25% compared to Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) at 2.02%. This indicates that RFETX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LTSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFETX	LTSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	2.02%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.80%	5.39%	+0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.24%	6.64%	+0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.73%	9.18%	+0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	9.83%	+0.84%

RFETX vs. LTSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFETX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than LTSTX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFETX vs. LTSTX - Dividend Comparison

RFETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.24%, less than LTSTX's 11.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	11.59%	12.19%	9.74%	4.26%	8.00%	7.66%	5.25%	6.91%	6.39%	4.75%	3.65%	8.91%
RFETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	6.24%	6.62%	4.04%	3.00%	4.73%	6.77%	3.86%	4.26%	4.81%	2.86%	3.77%	5.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFETX and LTSTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, RFETX and LTSTX 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, RFETX or LTSTX?

RFETX has higher volatility (2.25%) compared to LTSTX (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFETX dropped -22.29% vs LTSTX's -48.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFETX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.11), 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.