RFFTX vs. LTIUX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFFTX (American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6) and LTIUX (Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, RFFTX returned 10.78%/yr vs 9.59%/yr for LTIUX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. RFFTX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTIUX.

Performance

RFFTX vs. LTIUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFFTX) and Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFFTX achieves a 7.24% return, which is significantly higher than LTIUX's 6.70% return. Over the past 10 years, RFFTX has outperformed LTIUX with an annualized return of 10.78%, while LTIUX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.59% annualized return.

RFFTX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 3.16%
• YTD: 7.24%
• 6M: 7.73%
• 1Y: 18.92%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 8.17%
• 10Y*: 10.78%

LTIUX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 3.36%
• YTD: 6.70%
• 6M: 6.91%
• 1Y: 17.03%
• 3Y*: 14.87%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 9.59%

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

RFFTX vs. LTIUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFFTX American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	7.24%	17.18%	12.73%	16.91%	-16.23%	15.59%	17.56%	23.26%	-5.13%	21.04%
LTIUX Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund	6.70%	14.26%	14.13%	16.51%	-17.48%	14.07%	15.70%	23.48%	-7.37%	19.69%

Correlation

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

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

Return for Risk

RFFTX vs. LTIUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFFTX

RFFTX Risk / Return Rank: 59
RFFTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
RFFTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
RFFTX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
RFFTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
RFFTX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

LTIUX

LTIUX Risk / Return Rank: 50
LTIUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
LTIUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
LTIUX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
LTIUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LTIUX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

RFFTX vs. LTIUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFFTX) and Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX). 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.

	RFFTX	LTIUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.03	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	2.91	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.38	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	2.66	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.44	11.84	+0.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFFTX vs. LTIUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFFTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the LTIUX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFFTX and LTIUX, 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

	RFFTX	LTIUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.03	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.60	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.77	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.48	+0.31

Drawdowns

RFFTX vs. LTIUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFFTX drawdown since its inception was -26.62%, smaller than the maximum LTIUX drawdown of -49.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFTX and LTIUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFFTX	LTIUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.62%	-49.65%	+23.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-6.57%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.56%	-11.08%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.06%	-24.23%	+1.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.62%	-28.12%	+1.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-6.71%	+3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	1.47%	+0.08%

Volatility

RFFTX vs. LTIUX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFFTX) and Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX) have volatilities of 2.51% and 2.62%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFFTX	LTIUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	2.62%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.75%	6.96%	-0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.46%	8.62%	-0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.40%	11.83%	-0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.71%	12.49%	+0.22%

RFFTX vs. LTIUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFFTX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than LTIUX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFFTX vs. LTIUX - Dividend Comparison

RFFTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.84%, less than LTIUX's 8.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTIUX Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund	8.46%	9.03%	9.46%	4.17%	7.50%	7.06%	5.35%	7.28%	7.75%	5.46%	4.28%	5.59%
RFFTX American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	5.84%	6.26%	4.56%	2.91%	5.75%	5.53%	3.81%	4.51%	5.15%	2.66%	3.82%	5.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFFTX and LTIUX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, RFFTX and LTIUX 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, RFFTX or LTIUX?

LTIUX has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to RFFTX (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFTX dropped -26.62% vs LTIUX's -49.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFFTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.03), 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.