SWQRX vs. PLTZX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SWQRX (Schwab Target 2065 Fund) and PLTZX (Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, SWQRX returned 9.59%/yr vs 9.13%/yr for PLTZX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SWQRX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLTZX.

Performance

SWQRX vs. PLTZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2065 Fund (SWQRX) and Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWQRX achieves a 12.10% return, which is significantly higher than PLTZX's 9.19% return.

SWQRX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 4.30%
• YTD: 12.10%
• 6M: 13.35%
• 1Y: 28.51%
• 3Y*: 19.54%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: —

PLTZX

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 3.95%
• YTD: 9.19%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 22.71%
• 3Y*: 18.52%
• 5Y*: 9.13%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

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

SWQRX vs. PLTZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SWQRX Schwab Target 2065 Fund	12.10%	20.95%	14.36%	21.21%	-20.23%	15.97%
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund	9.19%	17.76%	16.89%	20.36%	-18.81%	15.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SWQRX and PLTZX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2021	0.96

The correlation between SWQRX and PLTZX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWQRX vs. PLTZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWQRX

SWQRX Risk / Return Rank: 63
SWQRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SWQRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SWQRX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SWQRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SWQRX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

PLTZX

PLTZX Risk / Return Rank: 48
PLTZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PLTZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
PLTZX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PLTZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PLTZX 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.

SWQRX vs. PLTZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2065 Fund (SWQRX) and Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX). 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.

	SWQRX	PLTZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	1.98	+0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	2.79	+0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.37	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	2.66	+0.31
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.24	12.02	+1.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWQRX vs. PLTZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWQRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the PLTZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWQRX and PLTZX, 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

	SWQRX	PLTZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	1.98	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.59	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.70	+0.01

Drawdowns

SWQRX vs. PLTZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWQRX drawdown since its inception was -28.26%, smaller than the maximum PLTZX drawdown of -34.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWQRX and PLTZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWQRX	PLTZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.26%	-34.01%	+5.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.80%	-8.70%	-1.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.02%	-15.73%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.26%	-26.79%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.01%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.67%	-4.63%	-2.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	1.93%	+0.27%

Volatility

SWQRX vs. PLTZX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Target 2065 Fund (SWQRX) has a higher volatility of 3.63% compared to Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX) at 3.30%. This indicates that SWQRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLTZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWQRX	PLTZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	3.30%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.79%	9.44%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.38%	11.82%	+0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.94%	15.46%	+0.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.80%	15.99%	-0.19%

SWQRX vs. PLTZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWQRX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than PLTZX'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

SWQRX vs. PLTZX - Dividend Comparison

SWQRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, less than PLTZX's 7.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund	7.63%	8.33%	7.85%	4.12%	8.44%	5.29%	3.60%	5.86%	5.75%	2.73%	3.48%	3.29%
SWQRX Schwab Target 2065 Fund	2.82%	3.16%	2.92%	3.31%	5.00%	2.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWQRX and PLTZX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, SWQRX and PLTZX 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, SWQRX or PLTZX?

SWQRX has higher volatility (3.63%) compared to PLTZX (3.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWQRX dropped -28.26% vs PLTZX's -34.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWQRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.98), 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.