TCLTX vs. PTDIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCLTX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund) and PTDIX (Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TCLTX returned 6.77%/yr vs 10.55%/yr for PTDIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TCLTX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PTDIX.

Performance

TCLTX vs. PTDIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX) and Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund (PTDIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCLTX achieves a 5.00% return, which is significantly lower than PTDIX's 7.80% return. Over the past 10 years, TCLTX has underperformed PTDIX with an annualized return of 6.77%, while PTDIX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.55% annualized return.

TCLTX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 5.00%
• 6M: 5.36%
• 1Y: 13.91%
• 3Y*: 10.60%
• 5Y*: 4.79%
• 10Y*: 6.77%

PTDIX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 3.88%
• YTD: 7.80%
• 6M: 8.09%
• 1Y: 19.26%
• 3Y*: 17.13%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: 10.55%

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

TCLTX vs. PTDIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCLTX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund	5.00%	12.09%	8.17%	11.68%	-13.76%	8.19%	12.11%	17.49%	-5.43%	12.89%
PTDIX Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund	7.80%	15.59%	17.43%	18.33%	-18.13%	15.35%	16.04%	24.91%	-7.95%	20.69%

Correlation

The correlation between TCLTX and PTDIX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2004	0.97

The correlation between TCLTX and PTDIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCLTX vs. PTDIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCLTX

TCLTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
TCLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
TCLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
TCLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TCLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
TCLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

PTDIX

PTDIX Risk / Return Rank: 50
PTDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PTDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
PTDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
PTDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PTDIX 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.

TCLTX vs. PTDIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX) and Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund (PTDIX). 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.

	TCLTX	PTDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.00	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	2.84	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.37	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	2.68	+0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.45	11.94	+0.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TCLTX vs. PTDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCLTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the PTDIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCLTX and PTDIX, 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

	TCLTX	PTDIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	2.00	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.62	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.77	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.48	+0.04

Drawdowns

TCLTX vs. PTDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCLTX drawdown since its inception was -44.15%, smaller than the maximum PTDIX drawdown of -54.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLTX and PTDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCLTX	PTDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.15%	-54.38%	+10.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.01%	-7.32%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.99%	-13.05%	+6.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.99%	-25.43%	+6.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.39%	-30.02%	+9.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-7.49%	+2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.13%	1.64%	-0.51%

Volatility

TCLTX vs. PTDIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX) is 1.92%, while Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund (PTDIX) has a volatility of 2.89%. This indicates that TCLTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PTDIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCLTX	PTDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.92%	2.89%	-0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.75%	7.85%	-3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.90%	9.81%	-3.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.64%	13.49%	-5.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.35%	13.83%	-5.48%

TCLTX vs. PTDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCLTX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than PTDIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCLTX vs. PTDIX - Dividend Comparison

TCLTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.27%, less than PTDIX's 9.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTDIX Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund	9.09%	9.80%	12.28%	4.40%	8.61%	8.92%	6.01%	7.26%	9.28%	6.07%	4.86%	6.73%
TCLTX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund	4.27%	4.49%	3.33%	2.38%	5.36%	7.49%	4.91%	3.36%	6.53%	2.44%	5.09%	4.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCLTX and PTDIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, TCLTX and PTDIX 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, TCLTX or PTDIX?

PTDIX has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to TCLTX (1.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLTX dropped -44.15% vs PTDIX's -54.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TCLTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.00), 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.