RFGTX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFGTX (American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, RFGTX returned 11.86%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for PPLIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. RFGTX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

RFGTX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFGTX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). 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 RFGTX having a 9.16% return and PPLIX slightly higher at 9.45%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with RFGTX having a 11.86% annualized return and PPLIX not far behind at 11.60%.

RFGTX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 3.95%
• YTD: 9.16%
• 6M: 9.80%
• 1Y: 22.99%
• 3Y*: 18.15%
• 5Y*: 9.57%
• 10Y*: 11.86%

PPLIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 9.80%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: 11.60%

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

RFGTX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	9.16%	19.52%	14.80%	19.33%	-17.53%	16.88%	18.79%	24.37%	-5.51%	21.98%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.45%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%

Correlation

The correlation between RFGTX and PPLIX 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	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2010	0.97

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

Return for Risk

RFGTX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFGTX

RFGTX Risk / Return Rank: 59
RFGTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
RFGTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
RFGTX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
RFGTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
RFGTX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

RFGTX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFGTX) 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.

	RFGTX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.99	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	2.81	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.37	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	2.68	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.62	12.05	+0.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFGTX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFGTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFGTX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RFGTX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	1.99	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.62	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.75	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.46	+0.33

Drawdowns

RFGTX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFGTX drawdown since its inception was -28.52%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFGTX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFGTX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.52%	-55.61%	+27.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.39%	-8.57%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.48%	-15.59%	+2.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.85%	-26.85%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.52%	-32.67%	+4.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.91%	-8.30%	+4.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	1.90%	-0.05%

Volatility

RFGTX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFGTX) is 2.98%, while Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) has a volatility of 3.25%. This indicates that RFGTX 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

	RFGTX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	3.25%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.18%	9.22%	-1.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.33%	11.56%	-1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.27%	15.47%	-2.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.10%	15.59%	-1.49%

RFGTX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFGTX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than PPLIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFGTX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

RFGTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.70%, less than PPLIX's 9.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.09%	9.95%	11.56%	4.41%	9.40%	8.04%	5.23%	7.16%	8.64%	5.12%	4.82%	6.07%
RFGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	5.70%	6.22%	3.80%	2.81%	6.71%	5.22%	3.53%	4.59%	5.29%	2.70%	3.88%	5.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFGTX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, RFGTX and PPLIX 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, RFGTX or PPLIX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (3.25%) compared to RFGTX (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFGTX dropped -28.52% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFGTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.99), 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.