AAGTX vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

AAGTX (American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - AAGTX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by American Funds, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, AAGTX returned 11.67%/yr vs 15.82%/yr for VOO. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AAGTX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

AAGTX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAGTX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAGTX achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 8.09% return. Over the past 10 years, AAGTX has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 11.67%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.82% annualized return.

AAGTX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 6.84%
• 1Y: 18.35%
• 3Y*: 16.93%
• 5Y*: 8.57%
• 10Y*: 11.67%

VOO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -2.07%
• YTD: 8.09%
• 6M: 6.78%
• 1Y: 22.17%
• 3Y*: 20.91%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: 15.82%

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

AAGTX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund	7.49%	19.16%	14.37%	18.95%	-17.80%	16.51%	18.41%	23.94%	-5.86%	21.63%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.09%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between AAGTX and VOO is 0.95, 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	0.95
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	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.96

The correlation between AAGTX and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AAGTX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAGTX

AAGTX Risk / Return Rank: 47
AAGTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
AAGTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
AAGTX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
AAGTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
AAGTX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 63
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

AAGTX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAGTX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AAGTX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.80	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	2.45	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	2.50	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	11.08	-1.48

AAGTX vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAGTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAGTX and VOO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAGTX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAGTX drawdown since its inception was -50.03%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAGTX and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAGTX	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.03%	-33.99%	-16.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.42%	-8.90%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.53%	-18.69%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.09%	-24.52%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.54%	-33.99%	+5.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.48%	-3.23%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.97%	-3.68%	-3.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	2.01%	-0.11%

Volatility

AAGTX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAGTX) is 4.30%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 4.75%. This indicates that AAGTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAGTX	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	4.75%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.88%	9.77%	-0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.95%	12.39%	-1.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.38%	16.91%	-3.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.10%	18.02%	-3.92%

AAGTX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAGTX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAGTX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

AAGTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, more than VOO's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.54%	5.95%	3.50%	2.51%	6.40%	4.94%	3.26%	4.29%	4.94%	2.42%	3.59%	5.12%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAGTX and VOO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, AAGTX and VOO 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, AAGTX or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to AAGTX (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAGTX dropped -50.03% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.68), 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.