SWYAX vs. LTIUX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWYAX (Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund) and LTIUX (Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, SWYAX returned 4.69%/yr vs 7.01%/yr for LTIUX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWYAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTIUX.

Performance

SWYAX vs. LTIUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund (SWYAX) 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, SWYAX achieves a 4.71% return, which is significantly lower than LTIUX's 6.70% return.

SWYAX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 2.08%
• YTD: 4.71%
• 6M: 4.84%
• 1Y: 12.75%
• 3Y*: 9.88%
• 5Y*: 4.69%
• 10Y*: —

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)

SWYAX vs. LTIUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWYAX Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund	4.71%	11.17%	7.18%	11.95%	-13.28%	6.99%	10.61%	14.55%	-2.27%	9.48%
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 SWYAX and LTIUX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2016	0.90

The correlation between SWYAX and LTIUX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWYAX vs. LTIUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWYAX

SWYAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SWYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SWYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
SWYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SWYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SWYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

SWYAX vs. LTIUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund (SWYAX) 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.

	SWYAX	LTIUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.03	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	2.91	+0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.38	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	2.66	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.99	11.84	+2.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWYAX vs. LTIUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the LTIUX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYAX 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

	SWYAX	LTIUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.03	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.60	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.48	+0.31

Drawdowns

SWYAX vs. LTIUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYAX drawdown since its inception was -19.82%, smaller than the maximum LTIUX drawdown of -49.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYAX and LTIUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYAX	LTIUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.82%	-49.65%	+29.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.16%	-6.57%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.50%	-11.08%	+4.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.82%	-24.23%	+4.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.36%	-6.71%	+3.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	1.47%	-0.55%

Volatility

SWYAX vs. LTIUX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund (SWYAX) is 1.78%, while Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX) has a volatility of 2.62%. This indicates that SWYAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTIUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWYAX	LTIUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.78%	2.62%	-0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.14%	6.96%	-2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.15%	8.62%	-3.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.78%	11.83%	-4.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.44%	12.49%	-5.05%

SWYAX vs. LTIUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than LTIUX's 0.01% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWYAX vs. LTIUX - Dividend Comparison

SWYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, 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%
SWYAX Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund	3.98%	4.17%	3.79%	2.85%	2.69%	2.54%	1.98%	2.27%	2.01%	1.18%	0.75%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYAX and LTIUX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SWYAX 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, SWYAX or LTIUX?

LTIUX has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to SWYAX (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYAX dropped -19.82% vs LTIUX's -49.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 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.