AAGTX vs. VTTHX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AAGTX (American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund) and VTTHX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, AAGTX returned 11.53%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for VTTHX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AAGTX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VTTHX.

Performance

AAGTX vs. VTTHX - 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 Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with AAGTX having a 8.88% return and VTTHX slightly lower at 8.77%. Over the past 10 years, AAGTX has outperformed VTTHX with an annualized return of 11.53%, while VTTHX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.81% annualized return.

AAGTX

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 8.88%
• 6M: 8.89%
• 1Y: 21.98%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 9.30%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

VTTHX

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 8.77%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 21.33%
• 3Y*: 14.91%
• 5Y*: 8.01%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

AAGTX vs. VTTHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund	8.88%	19.16%	14.37%	18.95%	-17.80%	16.51%	18.41%	23.94%	-5.86%	21.63%
VTTHX Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund	8.77%	17.55%	11.56%	17.37%	-16.64%	12.96%	14.80%	22.44%	-6.57%	16.81%

Correlation

The correlation between AAGTX and VTTHX 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	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2007	0.98

The correlation between AAGTX and VTTHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AAGTX vs. VTTHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAGTX

AAGTX Risk / Return Rank: 54
AAGTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
AAGTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
AAGTX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
AAGTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AAGTX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VTTHX

VTTHX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VTTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. VTTHX - 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 Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX). 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	VTTHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.23	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	3.13	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.94	-0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.46	12.67	-1.22

AAGTX vs. VTTHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAGTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the VTTHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAGTX and VTTHX, 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. VTTHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAGTX drawdown since its inception was -50.03%, roughly equal to the maximum VTTHX drawdown of -51.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAGTX and VTTHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAGTX	VTTHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.03%	-51.76%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.42%	-7.17%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.53%	-10.87%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.09%	-23.53%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.54%	-27.15%	-1.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.33%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.98%	-6.08%	-0.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	1.66%	+0.23%

Volatility

AAGTX vs. VTTHX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAGTX) has a higher volatility of 4.22% compared to Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX) at 3.84%. This indicates that AAGTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTTHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAGTX	VTTHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.22%	3.84%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.89%	7.90%	+0.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.90%	9.44%	+1.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.38%	11.46%	+1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.16%	12.49%	+1.67%

AAGTX vs. VTTHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAGTX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VTTHX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAGTX vs. VTTHX - Dividend Comparison

AAGTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.47%, more than VTTHX's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTTHX Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund	2.72%	2.96%	3.12%	2.47%	2.71%	19.52%	2.50%	2.33%	2.69%	0.16%	2.77%	4.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAGTX and VTTHX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, AAGTX and VTTHX 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 VTTHX?

AAGTX has higher volatility (4.22%) compared to VTTHX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAGTX dropped -50.03% vs VTTHX's -51.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.00), 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.