TRSPX vs. PLFIX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

TRSPX (Nuveen S&P 500 Index Fund Retirement Class) and PLFIX (Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional) are both S&P 500 funds - TRSPX tracks the S&P 500 while PLFIX tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TRSPX returned 15.05%/yr vs 15.54%/yr for PLFIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TRSPX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for PLFIX.

Performance

TRSPX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen S&P 500 Index Fund Retirement Class (TRSPX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TRSPX having a 11.22% return and PLFIX slightly higher at 11.31%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TRSPX having a 15.05% annualized return and PLFIX not far ahead at 15.54%.

TRSPX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 11.22%
• 6M: 10.85%
• 1Y: 28.82%
• 3Y*: 22.34%
• 5Y*: 13.68%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

PLFIX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 11.31%
• 6M: 11.01%
• 1Y: 29.12%
• 3Y*: 23.17%
• 5Y*: 14.16%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

TRSPX vs. PLFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRSPX Nuveen S&P 500 Index Fund Retirement Class	11.22%	17.50%	24.64%	25.90%	-18.34%	28.32%	18.08%	31.06%	-4.72%	19.52%
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional	11.31%	17.77%	26.77%	26.00%	-18.21%	28.25%	18.11%	31.35%	-4.66%	21.65%

Correlation

The correlation between TRSPX and PLFIX is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2002	0.99

The correlation between TRSPX and PLFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TRSPX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRSPX

TRSPX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TRSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
TRSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
TRSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
TRSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
TRSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PLFIX

PLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 72
PLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
PLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
PLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

TRSPX vs. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen S&P 500 Index Fund Retirement Class (TRSPX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). 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.

	TRSPX	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.41	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	3.29	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.44	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	3.21	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.79	15.00	-0.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRSPX vs. PLFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRSPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the PLFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRSPX and PLFIX, 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

	TRSPX	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	2.41	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.84	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.89	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.49	+0.09

Drawdowns

TRSPX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRSPX drawdown since its inception was -55.34%, roughly equal to the maximum PLFIX drawdown of -55.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRSPX and PLFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRSPX	PLFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.34%	-55.28%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-8.90%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-18.77%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.63%	-24.58%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.77%	-33.77%	0.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.33%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.90%	-8.85%	+1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	1.90%	+0.01%

Volatility

TRSPX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen S&P 500 Index Fund Retirement Class (TRSPX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) have volatilities of 2.86% and 2.86%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRSPX	PLFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	2.86%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.00%	8.99%	+0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	11.87%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.88%	16.91%	-0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	17.51%	+0.54%

TRSPX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRSPX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRSPX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison

TRSPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, less than PLFIX's 2.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional	2.65%	2.95%	4.28%	4.13%	2.96%	13.60%	7.57%	3.83%	7.52%	7.01%	3.23%	2.69%
TRSPX Nuveen S&P 500 Index Fund Retirement Class	1.93%	2.15%	1.30%	1.26%	1.66%	1.55%	1.33%	1.95%	2.67%	0.36%	2.18%	0.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRSPX and PLFIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, TRSPX and PLFIX 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, TRSPX or PLFIX?

PLFIX has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to TRSPX (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRSPX dropped -55.34% vs PLFIX's -55.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.39), 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.