AAETX vs. AAGTX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AAETX (American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund) and AAGTX (American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from American Funds. Over the past 10 years, AAETX returned 9.03%/yr vs 11.47%/yr for AAGTX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.33% expense ratio.

Performance

AAETX vs. AAGTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) and American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAGTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAETX achieves a 5.73% return, which is significantly lower than AAGTX's 8.84% return. Over the past 10 years, AAETX has underperformed AAGTX with an annualized return of 9.03%, while AAGTX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.47% annualized return.

AAETX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 2.12%
• YTD: 5.73%
• 6M: 6.48%
• 1Y: 16.21%
• 3Y*: 13.32%
• 5Y*: 6.63%
• 10Y*: 9.03%

AAGTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 3.61%
• YTD: 8.84%
• 6M: 9.89%
• 1Y: 22.78%
• 3Y*: 17.69%
• 5Y*: 9.08%
• 10Y*: 11.47%

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

AAETX vs. AAGTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.73%	15.41%	10.50%	14.08%	-14.74%	12.79%	14.81%	19.64%	-4.56%	18.11%
AAGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund	8.84%	19.16%	14.37%	18.95%	-17.80%	16.51%	18.41%	23.94%	-5.86%	21.63%

Correlation

The correlation between AAETX and AAGTX is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
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 AAETX and AAGTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AAETX vs. AAGTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAETX

AAETX Risk / Return Rank: 59
AAETX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
AAETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
AAETX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
AAETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AAETX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

AAGTX

AAGTX Risk / Return Rank: 58
AAGTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
AAGTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
AAGTX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
AAGTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
AAGTX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

AAETX vs. AAGTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) and American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAGTX). 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.

	AAETX	AAGTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.28	+0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.21	+0.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.42	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	2.78	-0.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.21	12.58	-0.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAETX vs. AAGTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAETX Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the AAGTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAETX and AAGTX, 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

	AAETX	AAGTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.28	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.69	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.82	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.54	-0.02

Drawdowns

AAETX vs. AAGTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAETX drawdown since its inception was -49.49%, roughly equal to the maximum AAGTX drawdown of -50.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAETX and AAGTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAETX	AAGTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.49%	-50.03%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.12%	-8.42%	+2.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.67%	-13.53%	+4.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-25.09%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.37%	-28.54%	+6.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-6.99%	+0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	1.86%	-0.49%

Volatility

AAETX vs. AAGTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) is 2.22%, while American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAGTX) has a volatility of 2.99%. This indicates that AAETX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAGTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAETX	AAGTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.22%	2.99%	-0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.76%	8.17%	-2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.23%	10.32%	-3.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.73%	13.28%	-3.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.66%	14.12%	-3.46%

AAETX vs. AAGTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AAETX and AAGTX have an expense ratio of 0.33%.

Dividends

AAETX vs. AAGTX - Dividend Comparison

AAETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.99%, more than AAGTX's 5.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.99%	6.33%	3.73%	2.69%	4.39%	6.47%	3.57%	3.95%	4.46%	2.46%	3.46%	5.52%
AAGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.47%	5.95%	3.50%	2.51%	6.40%	4.94%	3.26%	4.29%	4.94%	2.42%	3.59%	5.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAETX and AAGTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, AAETX and AAGTX 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, AAETX or AAGTX?

AAGTX has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to AAETX (2.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAETX dropped -49.49% vs AAGTX's -50.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAETX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.28), 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.