AADTX vs. AACTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AADTX (American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund) and AACTX (American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from American Funds. Over the past 10 years, AADTX returned 7.88%/yr vs 7.14%/yr for AACTX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AADTX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AACTX.

Performance

AADTX vs. AACTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund (AADTX) and American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AADTX achieves a 5.17% return, which is significantly higher than AACTX's 4.87% return. Over the past 10 years, AADTX has outperformed AACTX with an annualized return of 7.88%, while AACTX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.14% annualized return.

AADTX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 2.12%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 5.56%
• 1Y: 14.27%
• 3Y*: 11.84%
• 5Y*: 5.87%
• 10Y*: 7.88%

AACTX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 4.87%
• 6M: 5.25%
• 1Y: 13.62%
• 3Y*: 11.35%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 7.14%

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

AADTX vs. AACTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AADTX American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.17%	14.20%	8.97%	11.57%	-13.04%	11.12%	13.33%	17.35%	-3.74%	14.95%
AACTX American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund	4.87%	13.91%	8.63%	10.06%	-11.29%	10.28%	10.61%	15.25%	-3.03%	12.46%

Correlation

The correlation between AADTX and AACTX is 0.99 - 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	0.99
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 5, 2007	0.99

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

Return for Risk

AADTX vs. AACTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AADTX

AADTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
AADTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
AADTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
AADTX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
AADTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
AADTX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

AACTX

AACTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
AACTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
AACTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
AACTX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
AACTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
AACTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

AADTX vs. AACTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund (AADTX) and American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX). 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.

	AADTX	AACTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.45	-0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	3.56	-0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.47	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	2.72	+0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.32	12.04	+0.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AADTX vs. AACTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AADTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the AACTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AADTX and AACTX, 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

	AADTX	AACTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	2.45	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.77	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	0.92	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.52	-0.01

Drawdowns

AADTX vs. AACTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AADTX drawdown since its inception was -48.80%, which is greater than AACTX's maximum drawdown of -46.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AADTX and AACTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AADTX	AACTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.80%	-46.28%	-2.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.30%	-5.12%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.77%	-6.35%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.02%	-17.18%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.24%	-17.18%	-2.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.15%	-5.53%	-0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	1.15%	+0.03%

Volatility

AADTX vs. AACTX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund (AADTX) has a higher volatility of 1.96% compared to American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX) at 1.86%. This indicates that AADTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AACTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AADTX	AACTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.96%	1.86%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.89%	4.55%	+0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.03%	5.68%	+0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.21%	7.47%	+0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.93%	7.76%	+1.17%

AADTX vs. AACTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AADTX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than AACTX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

AADTX vs. AACTX - Dividend Comparison

AADTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.01%, less than AACTX's 7.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AACTX American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund	7.44%	7.80%	5.18%	3.25%	3.95%	6.30%	4.22%	3.96%	4.16%	2.52%	2.99%	4.12%
AADTX American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund	7.01%	7.38%	5.18%	3.05%	3.96%	6.24%	3.58%	3.68%	4.06%	2.38%	3.12%	5.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AADTX and AACTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, AADTX and AACTX 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, AADTX or AACTX?

AADTX has higher volatility (1.96%) compared to AACTX (1.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AADTX dropped -48.80% vs AACTX's -46.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AACTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.41), 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.