VFIAX vs. PLSAX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) and PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) are both S&P 500 funds tracking the S&P 500 Index, from Vanguard and Principal respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX returned 15.14%/yr vs 14.87%/yr for PLSAX. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VFIAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for PLSAX.

Performance

VFIAX vs. PLSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VFIAX having a 11.74% return and PLSAX slightly lower at 11.59%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFIAX having a 15.14% annualized return and PLSAX not far behind at 14.87%.

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 1.63%
• 6M: 10.48%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 1Y: 21.46%
• 3Y*: 20.84%
• 5Y*: 13.10%
• 10Y*: 15.14%
• ALL TIME*: 8.90%

PLSAX

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 1.60%
• 6M: 10.33%
• YTD: 11.59%
• 1Y: 21.15%
• 3Y*: 21.08%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: 14.87%
• ALL TIME*: 8.10%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VFIAX vs. PLSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.74%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	11.59%	17.50%	26.46%	25.70%	-18.41%	27.93%	17.85%	30.97%	-4.93%	21.23%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIAX and PLSAX is 1.00 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2001	0.99

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

Return for Risk

VFIAX vs. PLSAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

PLSAX

PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VFIAX vs. PLSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VFIAX	PLSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.80	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.48	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	2.58	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.27	11.05	+0.21

VFIAX vs. PLSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the PLSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIAX and PLSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VFIAX vs. PLSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIAX drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, roughly equal to the maximum PLSAX drawdown of -55.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIAX and PLSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIAX	PLSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.20%	-55.67%	+0.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-8.94%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-18.78%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.53%	-24.69%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.83%	-33.79%	-0.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.35%	-10.10%	+0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	2.08%	-0.01%

Volatility

VFIAX vs. PLSAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) have volatilities of 3.81% and 3.79%, 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

	VFIAX	PLSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.81%	3.79%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.20%	10.17%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.86%	12.84%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.03%	17.04%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.08%	17.52%	+0.56%

VFIAX vs. PLSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than PLSAX's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFIAX vs. PLSAX - Dividend Comparison

VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than PLSAX's 2.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	2.47%	2.75%	4.07%	3.90%	2.70%	13.38%	7.35%	3.57%	7.19%	6.72%	2.93%	2.36%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.05%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIAX and PLSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VFIAX and PLSAX 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, VFIAX or PLSAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to PLSAX (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIAX dropped -55.20% vs PLSAX's -55.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.80), 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.