SACAX vs. PLTQX
SACAX (Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio) and PLTQX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund) are both mutual funds - SACAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Principal, while PLTQX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, SACAX returned 11.87%/yr vs 10.09%/yr for PLTQX. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. SACAX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for PLTQX.
Performance
SACAX vs. PLTQX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SACAX achieves a 10.88% return, which is significantly higher than PLTQX's 8.07% return. Over the past 10 years, SACAX has outperformed PLTQX with an annualized return of 11.87%, while PLTQX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.09% annualized return.
SACAX
- 1D
- 1.70%
- 1M
- 0.16%
- 6M
- 7.85%
- YTD
- 10.88%
- 1Y
- 20.54%
- 3Y*
- 18.79%
- 5Y*
- 10.38%
- 10Y*
- 11.87%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.42%
PLTQX
- 1D
- 1.42%
- 1M
- -0.06%
- 6M
- 5.51%
- YTD
- 8.07%
- 1Y
- 18.03%
- 3Y*
- 14.55%
- 5Y*
- 8.07%
- 10Y*
- 10.09%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.45%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
SACAX vs. PLTQX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio | 10.88% | 16.56% | 24.20% | 21.42% | -19.06% | 19.34% | 15.11% | 26.87% | -9.13% | 21.68% |
PLTQX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund | 8.07% | 17.25% | 14.58% | 18.16% | -17.90% | 17.09% | 15.41% | 23.86% | -8.61% | 19.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between SACAX and PLTQX is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014 | 0.98 |
The correlation between SACAX and PLTQX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SACAX vs. PLTQX — Risk / Return Rank
SACAX
PLTQX
SACAX vs. PLTQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) and Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund (PLTQX). 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.
| SACAX | PLTQX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.28 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.10 | 2.27 | -0.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.07 | 9.77 | -0.70 |
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Drawdowns
SACAX vs. PLTQX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SACAX drawdown since its inception was -54.31%, which is greater than PLTQX's maximum drawdown of -29.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SACAX and PLTQX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SACAX | PLTQX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.31% | -29.05% | -25.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.85% | -7.29% | -1.56% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.88% | -13.75% | -2.13% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.96% | -24.18% | -2.78% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.90% | -29.05% | -5.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.93% | -1.22% | +0.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.74% | -4.36% | -5.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.05% | 1.69% | +0.36% |
Volatility
SACAX vs. PLTQX - Volatility Comparison
Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) has a higher volatility of 3.43% compared to Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund (PLTQX) at 3.05%. This indicates that SACAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLTQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SACAX | PLTQX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.43% | 3.05% | +0.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.44% | 8.97% | +1.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.62% | 10.89% | +1.73% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.74% | 13.49% | +2.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.02% | 13.77% | +2.25% |
SACAX vs. PLTQX - Expense Ratio Comparison
SACAX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than PLTQX's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
SACAX vs. PLTQX - Dividend Comparison
SACAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.82%, more than PLTQX's 4.16% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLTQX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund | 4.16% | 4.50% | 4.19% | 3.14% | 8.95% | 5.00% | 3.85% | 3.84% | 4.47% | 2.37% | 2.34% | 1.65% |
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio | 10.82% | 11.99% | 13.37% | 1.16% | 9.30% | 7.53% | 4.02% | 4.47% | 20.79% | 6.82% | 3.68% | 14.08% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, SACAX and PLTQX 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.
SACAX has higher volatility (3.43%) compared to PLTQX (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SACAX dropped -54.31% vs PLTQX's -29.05%.
PLTQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.47), 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.
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