AOK vs. IRTR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AOK (iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF) and IRTR (Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AOK is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the S&P Target Risk Conservative Index, while IRTR is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by iShares. AOK is passively managed, while IRTR is actively managed. Over the past year, AOK returned 12.11% vs 14.08% for IRTR. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AOK charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for IRTR.

Performance

AOK vs. IRTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF (AOK) and Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AOK achieves a 4.26% return, which is significantly lower than IRTR's 5.14% return.

AOK

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 1.66%
• YTD: 4.26%
• 6M: 4.14%
• 1Y: 12.11%
• 3Y*: 9.28%
• 5Y*: 3.71%
• 10Y*: 5.14%

IRTR

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 5.14%
• 6M: 5.38%
• 1Y: 14.08%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AOK vs. IRTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
AOK iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF	4.26%	11.26%	6.58%	9.89%
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	5.14%	12.70%	7.59%	10.63%

Correlation

The correlation between AOK and IRTR 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2023	0.94

The correlation between AOK and IRTR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

AOK vs. IRTR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AOK	IRTR
Technology	13.0%	26.8%
Financial Services	6.0%	15.0%
Industrials	3.6%	12.6%
Communication Services	3.4%	8.0%
Consumer Cyclical	3.2%	9.0%
Healthcare	3.0%	7.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	4.6%
Energy	1.5%	4.9%
Basic Materials	1.1%	3.8%
Utilities	0.9%	4.3%
Real Estate	0.5%	3.5%

Return for Risk

AOK vs. IRTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

AOK

AOK Risk / Return Rank: 61
AOK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
AOK Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
AOK Omega Ratio Rank: 65
AOK Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
AOK Martin Ratio Rank: 62

IRTR

IRTR Risk / Return Rank: 69
IRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
IRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 75
IRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
IRTR 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.

AOK vs. IRTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF (AOK) and Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR). 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.

	AOK	IRTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.36	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.43	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.45	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	2.94	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.50	12.92	-1.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AOK vs. IRTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AOK Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the IRTR Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AOK and IRTR, 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

	AOK	IRTR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.36	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	2.01	-1.30

Drawdowns

AOK vs. IRTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AOK drawdown since its inception was -18.94%, which is greater than IRTR's maximum drawdown of -6.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AOK and IRTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	AOK	IRTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.94%	-6.29%	-12.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.50%	-4.82%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.94%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.94%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.41%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-0.78%	-1.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	1.09%	-0.03%

Volatility

AOK vs. IRTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF (AOK) is 1.97%, while Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) has a volatility of 2.15%. This indicates that AOK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IRTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AOK	IRTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.97%	2.15%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.47%	4.85%	-0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.76%	6.00%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.10%	7.04%	+0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.71%	7.04%	-0.33%

AOK vs. IRTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

AOK has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IRTR's 0.08% 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

AOK vs. IRTR - Dividend Comparison

AOK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.28%, more than IRTR's 2.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AOK iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF	3.28%	3.28%	3.23%	2.93%	2.25%	1.55%	2.10%	2.71%	2.68%	2.91%	2.14%	2.02%
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	2.99%	3.03%	3.03%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AOK and IRTR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, AOK and IRTR 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, AOK or IRTR?

IRTR has higher volatility (2.15%) compared to AOK (1.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AOK dropped -18.94% vs IRTR's -6.29%.

Which ETF is better, AOK or IRTR?

On 1-year performance, IRTR leads with 14.08% vs 12.11% for AOK. On fees, IRTR is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, AOK has been the lower-risk option at 1.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AOK or IRTR?

Over the 1-year period, IRTR has performed better with a 14.08% return vs 12.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AOK or IRTR?

IRTR is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AOK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AOK or IRTR?

AOK has the higher dividend yield at 3.28%, compared with 2.99% for IRTR.

What is the main difference between AOK and IRTR?

AOK is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while IRTR is Target Retirement Date. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AOK and 0.08% for IRTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.11), 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.