AAFTX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AAFTX (American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - AAFTX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by American Funds, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, AAFTX returned 10.39%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for VFIAX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AAFTX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

AAFTX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAFTX achieves a 6.90% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.54% return. Over the past 10 years, AAFTX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 10.39%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.61% annualized return.

AAFTX

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 6.90%
• 6M: 7.76%
• 1Y: 18.57%
• 3Y*: 15.18%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 10.39%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 29.53%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

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

AAFTX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAFTX American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund	6.90%	16.77%	12.40%	16.50%	-16.53%	15.20%	17.23%	22.81%	-5.48%	20.68%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.54%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between AAFTX and VFIAX is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2007	0.96

The correlation between AAFTX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AAFTX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAFTX

AAFTX Risk / Return Rank: 57
AAFTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
AAFTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
AAFTX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
AAFTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AAFTX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

AAFTX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	AAFTX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	2.55	-0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.46	-0.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.46	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	3.38	-0.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.25	15.82	-3.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAFTX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAFTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAFTX and VFIAX, 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

	AAFTX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	2.55	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.84	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.87	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.47	+0.06

Drawdowns

AAFTX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAFTX drawdown since its inception was -49.89%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAFTX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAFTX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.89%	-55.20%	+5.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.99%	-8.90%	+1.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.58%	-18.75%	+8.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.31%	-24.53%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.72%	-33.83%	+7.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	0.00%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.80%	-9.40%	+2.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.56%	1.90%	-0.34%

Volatility

AAFTX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX) is 2.54%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a volatility of 2.82%. This indicates that AAFTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAFTX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	2.82%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.77%	8.99%	-2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.48%	11.88%	-3.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.44%	16.90%	-5.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.71%	18.07%	-5.36%

AAFTX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAFTX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAFTX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

AAFTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.60%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAFTX American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.60%	5.99%	4.26%	2.61%	5.43%	5.25%	3.53%	4.21%	4.80%	2.38%	3.52%	5.63%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAFTX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, AAFTX and VFIAX 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, AAFTX or VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to AAFTX (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAFTX dropped -49.89% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.25), 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.