AAETX vs. VFIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AAETX (American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund) and VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, AAETX returned 9.05%/yr vs 11.74%/yr for VFIFX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AAETX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFIFX.

Performance

AAETX vs. VFIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAETX achieves a 5.95% return, which is significantly lower than VFIFX's 12.06% return. Over the past 10 years, AAETX has underperformed VFIFX with an annualized return of 9.05%, while VFIFX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.74% annualized return.

AAETX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 2.59%
• YTD: 5.95%
• 6M: 6.37%
• 1Y: 16.19%
• 3Y*: 13.39%
• 5Y*: 6.75%
• 10Y*: 9.05%

VFIFX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 12.99%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

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

AAETX vs. VFIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.95%	15.41%	10.50%	14.08%	-14.74%	12.79%	14.81%	19.64%	-4.56%	18.11%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	12.06%	21.42%	14.45%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.42%	16.40%	24.99%	-7.89%	19.15%

Correlation

The correlation between AAETX and VFIFX is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2007	0.98

The correlation between AAETX and VFIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AAETX vs. VFIFX — 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: 61
AAETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AAETX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VFIFX

VFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VFIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.51	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	3.47	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.46	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	3.21	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.03	14.25	-2.22
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. VFIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAETX Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the VFIFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAETX and VFIFX, 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	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	2.51	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.73	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.78	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.52	0.00

Drawdowns

AAETX vs. VFIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAETX drawdown since its inception was -49.49%, roughly equal to the maximum VFIFX drawdown of -51.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAETX and VFIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAETX	VFIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.49%	-51.68%	+2.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.12%	-8.87%	+2.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.67%	-14.54%	+5.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-25.40%	+4.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.37%	-31.36%	+8.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-6.88%	+0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	2.00%	-0.63%

Volatility

AAETX vs. VFIFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAETX) is 2.22%, while Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) has a volatility of 3.35%. This indicates that AAETX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAETX	VFIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.22%	3.35%	-1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.76%	9.02%	-3.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.21%	11.36%	-4.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.73%	14.18%	-4.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.66%	15.11%	-4.45%

AAETX vs. VFIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAETX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIFX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAETX vs. VFIFX - Dividend Comparison

AAETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.97%, more than VFIFX's 1.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAETX American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.97%	6.33%	3.73%	2.69%	4.39%	6.47%	3.57%	3.95%	4.46%	2.46%	3.46%	5.52%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	1.86%	2.09%	2.26%	2.21%	2.38%	12.83%	1.84%	2.20%	2.51%	0.03%	2.04%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAETX and VFIFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, AAETX and VFIFX 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 VFIFX?

VFIFX has higher volatility (3.35%) compared to AAETX (2.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAETX dropped -49.49% vs VFIFX's -51.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.29), 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.