AOA vs. VASGX
AOA (iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF) and VASGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. AOA is passively managed, while VASGX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, AOA returned 10.91%/yr vs 10.80%/yr for VASGX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AOA charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VASGX.
Performance
AOA vs. VASGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AOA having a 9.88% return and VASGX slightly higher at 10.37%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with AOA having a 10.91% annualized return and VASGX not far behind at 10.80%.
AOA
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- 1.38%
- YTD
- 9.88%
- 6M
- 9.74%
- 1Y
- 24.31%
- 3Y*
- 17.27%
- 5Y*
- 9.26%
- 10Y*
- 10.91%
VASGX
- 1D
- 1.03%
- 1M
- 1.62%
- YTD
- 10.37%
- 6M
- 10.24%
- 1Y
- 24.85%
- 3Y*
- 16.74%
- 5Y*
- 9.20%
- 10Y*
- 10.80%
AOA vs. VASGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AOA iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF | 9.88% | 19.59% | 13.55% | 18.27% | -16.23% | 15.42% | 12.82% | 22.60% | -7.86% | 20.05% |
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund | 10.37% | 19.65% | 12.95% | 18.76% | -17.21% | 14.35% | 15.45% | 23.14% | -6.89% | 19.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between AOA and VASGX is 0.99 - 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 | 0.99 |
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 | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2008 | 0.96 |
The correlation between AOA and VASGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
AOA vs. VASGX — Risk / Return Rank
AOA
VASGX
AOA vs. VASGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF (AOA) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX). 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.
| AOA | VASGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.41 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.98 | 3.00 | -0.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.96 | 12.96 | 0.00 |
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Drawdowns
AOA vs. VASGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AOA drawdown since its inception was -28.38%, smaller than the maximum VASGX drawdown of -51.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AOA and VASGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AOA | VASGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.38% | -51.16% | +22.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.20% | -8.17% | -0.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.94% | -12.89% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.62% | -24.43% | +0.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.38% | -28.53% | +0.15% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.55% | -0.44% | -0.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.04% | -7.24% | +3.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.88% | 1.89% | -0.01% |
Volatility
AOA vs. VASGX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF (AOA) is 4.13%, while Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) has a volatility of 4.47%. This indicates that AOA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VASGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AOA | VASGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.13% | 4.47% | -0.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.22% | 9.14% | +0.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.15% | 10.99% | +0.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.07% | 12.88% | +0.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.58% | 13.53% | +0.05% |
AOA vs. VASGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
AOA has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VASGX's 0.14% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
AOA vs. VASGX - Dividend Comparison
AOA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.05%, less than VASGX's 3.71% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AOA iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF | 2.05% | 2.18% | 2.30% | 2.22% | 2.10% | 1.67% | 1.71% | 2.50% | 2.37% | 5.09% | 2.26% | 2.15% |
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund | 3.71% | 4.09% | 6.15% | 3.00% | 2.10% | 3.54% | 3.54% | 2.34% | 4.36% | 2.13% | 2.23% | 4.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, AOA and VASGX 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.
VASGX has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to AOA (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AOA dropped -28.38% vs VASGX's -51.16%.
VASGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.19), 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.
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