Principal Financial Group offers a range of mutual fund strategies to individual investors, retirees, affluent individuals and institutional investors. With more than 1,600 financial institutions serving over 80 countries worldwide. The company manages $601.8 billion in assets.
The investment approaches used by Principal mutual funds can change based on the risk levels and the overall market outlook. Sustainable investing considerations, including governance, ethics, environmental and social issues, are also incorporated into fund strategies.
We have picked three Principal Financial Group mutual funds — Principal LargeCap Growth PPUMX, Principal International Equity PRPPX and Principal SmallCap PSBMX — which investors should buy now for the long term. These funds have a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or Rank 2 (Buy), with positive three-year and five-year annualized returns, minimum initial investments within $5000 and expense ratios considerably lower than the category average. So, these funds have provided a comparatively stronger performance and carry a lower fee.
Principal LargeCap Growth fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The fund invests primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of U.S. companies. PPUMX invests in companies with market capitalizations of $10 billion.
James W. Fennessey has been the lead manager of PPUMX since June 2, 2009. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies such as NVIDIA Corp (13.1%), Apple Inc. (1.1%) and Microsoft Corp (1%) as of April 30, 2026.
PPUMX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 15% and 5.3%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 1.17%. PPUMX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
To see how this fund performed compared to its category, and other 1 (Strong Buy) and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds,please click here.
Principal International Equity fund invests a majority of its assets in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and other equity-oriented investments.
Paul H. Blankenhagen has been the lead manager of PRPPX since July 31, 2024. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies such as Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (5.7%), ASML Holding N.V. (4.4%) and Teck Resources Ltd (4.3%) as of April 30, 2026.
PRPPX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 18.8% and 6.3%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 1.18%. PRPPX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
Principal SmallCap fund invests its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of companies with small market capitalizations.
Phil Nordhus has been the lead manager of PSBMX since May 19, 2006. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies such as Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (2.3%), Modine Manufacturing Co (2%) and Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (2%) as of April 30, 2026.
PSBMX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 12.7% and 4.7%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 1.30%. PSBMX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2.