WFSPX vs. PLFIX
WFSPX (iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Class K) and PLFIX (Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional) are both S&P 500 funds tracking the S&P 500 Index, from BlackRock and Principal respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, WFSPX returned 15.50%/yr vs 15.59%/yr for PLFIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. WFSPX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for PLFIX.
Performance
WFSPX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with WFSPX having a 8.09% return and PLFIX slightly lower at 8.06%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with WFSPX having a 15.50% annualized return and PLFIX not far ahead at 15.59%.
WFSPX
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- -2.04%
- YTD
- 8.09%
- 6M
- 6.76%
- 1Y
- 22.17%
- 3Y*
- 20.73%
- 5Y*
- 13.01%
- 10Y*
- 15.50%
PLFIX
- 1D
- -0.09%
- 1M
- -2.04%
- YTD
- 8.06%
- 6M
- 6.74%
- 1Y
- 22.13%
- 3Y*
- 21.22%
- 5Y*
- 13.21%
- 10Y*
- 15.59%
WFSPX vs. PLFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WFSPX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Class K | 8.09% | 17.83% | 24.94% | 26.25% | -18.14% | 28.63% | 18.43% | 31.45% | -4.83% | 21.27% |
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 8.06% | 17.77% | 26.77% | 26.00% | -18.21% | 28.25% | 18.11% | 31.35% | -4.66% | 21.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between WFSPX 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 Feb 28, 2001 | 0.99 |
The correlation between WFSPX and PLFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
WFSPX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank
WFSPX
PLFIX
WFSPX vs. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Class K (WFSPX) 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.
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.
| WFSPX | PLFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.32 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.50 | 2.50 | +0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.18 | 11.15 | +0.02 |
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Drawdowns
WFSPX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum WFSPX drawdown since its inception was -58.21%, which is greater than PLFIX's maximum drawdown of -55.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WFSPX and PLFIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| WFSPX | PLFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.21% | -55.28% | -2.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.90% | -8.90% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.74% | -18.77% | +0.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.51% | -24.58% | +0.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.74% | -33.77% | +0.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.22% | -3.24% | +0.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.75% | -8.84% | -3.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 1.99% | 0.00% |
Volatility
WFSPX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison
iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Class K (WFSPX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) have volatilities of 4.88% and 4.89%, 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
| WFSPX | PLFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.88% | 4.89% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.89% | 9.90% | -0.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.53% | 12.52% | +0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.98% | 17.01% | -0.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.04% | 17.53% | +0.51% |
WFSPX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
WFSPX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
WFSPX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison
WFSPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, less than PLFIX's 2.73% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 2.73% | 2.95% | 4.28% | 4.13% | 2.96% | 13.60% | 7.57% | 3.83% | 7.52% | 7.01% | 3.23% | 2.69% |
WFSPX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Class K | 1.62% | 1.72% | 1.41% | 1.50% | 2.02% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 1.99% | 2.00% | 1.62% | 2.37% | 2.49% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, WFSPX 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.
PLFIX has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to WFSPX (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WFSPX dropped -58.21% vs PLFIX's -55.28%.
WFSPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.78), 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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