SWCRX vs. LTFIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWCRX (Schwab Target 2020 Fund) and LTFIX (Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, SWCRX returned 6.63%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for LTFIX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWCRX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTFIX.

Performance

SWCRX vs. LTFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2020 Fund (SWCRX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWCRX achieves a 4.95% return, which is significantly lower than LTFIX's 9.67% return. Over the past 10 years, SWCRX has underperformed LTFIX with an annualized return of 6.63%, while LTFIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.59% annualized return.

SWCRX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 4.95%
• 6M: 5.20%
• 1Y: 13.76%
• 3Y*: 10.79%
• 5Y*: 4.95%
• 10Y*: 6.63%

LTFIX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 4.75%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 10.05%
• 1Y: 22.88%
• 3Y*: 18.84%
• 5Y*: 9.37%
• 10Y*: 11.59%

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

SWCRX vs. LTFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWCRX Schwab Target 2020 Fund	4.95%	12.23%	8.32%	12.83%	-14.76%	7.86%	11.47%	16.16%	-4.46%	13.05%
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	9.67%	17.80%	17.28%	20.33%	-18.84%	17.73%	16.47%	27.27%	-9.03%	22.52%

Correlation

The correlation between SWCRX and LTFIX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2008	0.94

The correlation between SWCRX and LTFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWCRX vs. LTFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWCRX

SWCRX Risk / Return Rank: 61
SWCRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SWCRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SWCRX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SWCRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SWCRX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

LTFIX

LTFIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
LTFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
LTFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
LTFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
LTFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
LTFIX 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.

SWCRX vs. LTFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2020 Fund (SWCRX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). 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.

	SWCRX	LTFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.97	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	2.78	+0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.36	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	2.68	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.41	12.06	+0.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWCRX vs. LTFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWCRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the LTFIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWCRX and LTFIX, 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

	SWCRX	LTFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.97	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.61	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.73	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.47	+0.08

Drawdowns

SWCRX vs. LTFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWCRX drawdown since its inception was -42.19%, smaller than the maximum LTFIX drawdown of -52.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWCRX and LTFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWCRX	LTFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.19%	-52.73%	+10.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.97%	-8.71%	+3.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.01%	-15.70%	+7.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.28%	-26.80%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.28%	-33.50%	+8.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.81%	-7.64%	+1.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.12%	1.93%	-0.81%

Volatility

SWCRX vs. LTFIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Target 2020 Fund (SWCRX) is 1.98%, while Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX) has a volatility of 3.34%. This indicates that SWCRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWCRX	LTFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.98%	3.34%	-1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.84%	9.46%	-4.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.03%	11.84%	-5.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.96%	15.46%	-4.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.42%	15.84%	-6.42%

SWCRX vs. LTFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWCRX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than LTFIX's 0.01% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWCRX vs. LTFIX - Dividend Comparison

SWCRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.87%, more than LTFIX's 7.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	7.96%	8.73%	8.47%	4.17%	8.60%	5.83%	3.91%	6.03%	6.60%	3.51%	3.99%	4.51%
SWCRX Schwab Target 2020 Fund	9.87%	10.36%	9.04%	7.12%	6.14%	7.58%	3.91%	5.67%	6.04%	5.72%	5.65%	5.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWCRX and LTFIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SWCRX and LTFIX 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, SWCRX or LTFIX?

LTFIX has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to SWCRX (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWCRX dropped -42.19% vs LTFIX's -52.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWCRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.97), 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.