SWYJX vs. PLTZX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWYJX (Schwab Target 2055 Index Fund) and PLTZX (Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, SWYJX returned 10.40%/yr vs 9.32%/yr for PLTZX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SWYJX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLTZX.

Performance

SWYJX vs. PLTZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2055 Index Fund (SWYJX) 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, SWYJX achieves a 12.56% return, which is significantly higher than PLTZX's 9.67% return.

SWYJX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 5.17%
• YTD: 12.56%
• 6M: 13.20%
• 1Y: 27.91%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 10.40%
• 10Y*: —

PLTZX

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 4.72%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 22.84%
• 3Y*: 18.70%
• 5Y*: 9.32%
• 10Y*: 11.62%

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

SWYJX vs. PLTZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWYJX Schwab Target 2055 Index Fund	12.56%	19.90%	14.52%	21.23%	-17.80%	18.36%	14.79%	25.78%	-7.85%	21.01%
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund	9.67%	17.76%	16.89%	20.36%	-18.81%	18.12%	16.60%	27.54%	-9.24%	22.68%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYJX 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	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2016	0.97

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

Return for Risk

SWYJX vs. PLTZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWYJX

SWYJX Risk / Return Rank: 69
SWYJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SWYJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SWYJX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SWYJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SWYJX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

PLTZX

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

SWYJX vs. PLTZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2055 Index Fund (SWYJX) 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.

	SWYJX	PLTZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	1.98	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.79	+0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.37	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	2.68	+0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.39	12.08	+2.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWYJX vs. PLTZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYJX Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the PLTZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYJX 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

	SWYJX	PLTZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	1.98	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.61	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.70	+0.04

Drawdowns

SWYJX vs. PLTZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYJX drawdown since its inception was -31.18%, smaller than the maximum PLTZX drawdown of -34.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYJX and PLTZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYJX	PLTZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.18%	-34.01%	+2.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.83%	-8.70%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.46%	-15.73%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.69%	-26.79%	+1.10%
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	-4.62%	-4.63%	+0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.93%	+0.04%

Volatility

SWYJX vs. PLTZX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Target 2055 Index Fund (SWYJX) has a higher volatility of 3.53% compared to Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX) at 3.30%. This indicates that SWYJX'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

	SWYJX	PLTZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.53%	3.30%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	9.44%	-0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.66%	11.80%	-0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.13%	15.46%	-0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.07%	15.99%	+0.08%

SWYJX vs. PLTZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYJX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than PLTZX'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

SWYJX vs. PLTZX - Dividend Comparison

SWYJX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.73%, less than PLTZX's 7.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund	7.60%	8.33%	7.85%	4.12%	8.44%	5.29%	3.60%	5.86%	5.75%	2.73%	3.48%	3.29%
SWYJX Schwab Target 2055 Index Fund	1.73%	1.95%	1.99%	1.99%	1.93%	1.77%	1.62%	1.96%	2.17%	1.47%	1.25%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYJX and PLTZX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, SWYJX 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, SWYJX or PLTZX?

SWYJX has higher volatility (3.53%) compared to PLTZX (3.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYJX dropped -31.18% vs PLTZX's -34.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWYJX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 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.