VTTSX vs. PPLIX
VTTSX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, VTTSX returned 11.88%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for PPLIX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTTSX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.
Performance
VTTSX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTTSX achieves a 9.69% return, which is significantly higher than PPLIX's 7.35% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTTSX having a 11.88% annualized return and PPLIX not far behind at 11.58%.
VTTSX
- 1D
- 2.20%
- 1M
- -0.36%
- YTD
- 9.69%
- 6M
- 10.44%
- 1Y
- 24.91%
- 3Y*
- 18.34%
- 5Y*
- 9.60%
- 10Y*
- 11.88%
PPLIX
- 1D
- 2.10%
- 1M
- -0.21%
- YTD
- 7.35%
- 6M
- 8.02%
- 1Y
- 19.70%
- 3Y*
- 18.08%
- 5Y*
- 8.93%
- 10Y*
- 11.58%
VTTSX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTTSX Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund | 9.69% | 21.43% | 14.61% | 20.19% | -17.48% | 16.45% | 16.33% | 26.18% | -8.78% | 21.40% |
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund | 7.35% | 17.55% | 19.12% | 20.36% | -18.78% | 17.04% | 16.56% | 26.67% | -8.74% | 22.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTTSX and PPLIX 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 | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 19, 2012 | 0.98 |
The correlation between VTTSX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VTTSX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank
VTTSX
PPLIX
VTTSX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund (VTTSX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). 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.
| VTTSX | PPLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.28 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.70 | 2.19 | +0.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.67 | 9.62 | +2.04 |
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Drawdowns
VTTSX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTTSX drawdown since its inception was -31.38%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTTSX and PPLIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTTSX | PPLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -31.38% | -55.61% | +24.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.93% | -8.57% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.51% | -15.59% | +1.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.40% | -26.85% | +1.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.38% | -32.67% | +1.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.21% | -1.92% | -0.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.03% | -8.30% | +4.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.06% | 1.95% | +0.11% |
Volatility
VTTSX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund (VTTSX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) have volatilities of 4.84% and 4.78%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VTTSX | PPLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.84% | 4.78% | +0.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.91% | 10.00% | -0.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.07% | 12.19% | -0.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.28% | 15.56% | -1.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.14% | 15.63% | -0.49% |
VTTSX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTTSX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than PPLIX'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
VTTSX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison
VTTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, less than PPLIX's 9.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund | 9.27% | 9.95% | 11.56% | 4.41% | 9.40% | 8.04% | 5.23% | 7.16% | 8.64% | 5.12% | 4.82% | 6.07% |
VTTSX Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund | 1.87% | 2.06% | 2.20% | 2.14% | 2.09% | 5.67% | 1.83% | 2.11% | 2.33% | 1.77% | 1.98% | 1.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, VTTSX and PPLIX 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.
VTTSX has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to PPLIX (4.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTTSX dropped -31.38% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.
VTTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.54), 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.
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