IRTR vs. AACTX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IRTR (Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF) and AACTX (American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past year, IRTR returned 13.84% vs 12.83% for AACTX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IRTR charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AACTX.

Performance

IRTR vs. AACTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) and American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IRTR achieves a 5.36% return, which is significantly higher than AACTX's 4.52% return.

IRTR

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 5.36%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 13.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AACTX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: 4.52%
• 6M: 4.96%
• 1Y: 12.83%
• 3Y*: 11.23%
• 5Y*: 5.55%
• 10Y*: 7.10%

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

IRTR vs. AACTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	5.36%	12.70%	7.59%	10.63%
AACTX American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund	4.52%	13.91%	8.63%	9.70%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

IRTR vs. AACTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IRTR

IRTR Risk / Return Rank: 70
IRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
IRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
IRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 69

AACTX

AACTX Risk / Return Rank: 60
AACTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
AACTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
AACTX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
AACTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
AACTX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

IRTR vs. AACTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) and American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX). 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.

	IRTR	AACTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.34	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.39	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.45	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	2.60	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	11.49	+1.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IRTR vs. AACTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the AACTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRTR and AACTX, 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

	IRTR	AACTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.34	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	0.52	+1.50

Drawdowns

IRTR vs. AACTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRTR drawdown since its inception was -6.29%, smaller than the maximum AACTX drawdown of -46.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRTR and AACTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRTR	AACTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-46.28%	+39.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.82%	-5.12%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.18%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-17.18%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.34%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-5.53%	+4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	1.15%	-0.06%

Volatility

IRTR vs. AACTX - Volatility Comparison

Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) has a higher volatility of 2.12% compared to American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX) at 1.87%. This indicates that IRTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AACTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRTR	AACTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	1.87%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.85%	4.52%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.00%	5.69%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.03%	7.47%	-0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.03%	7.76%	-0.73%

IRTR vs. AACTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRTR has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than AACTX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

IRTR vs. AACTX - Dividend Comparison

IRTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, less than AACTX's 7.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AACTX American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund	7.47%	7.80%	5.18%	3.25%	3.95%	6.30%	4.22%	3.96%	4.16%	2.52%	2.99%	4.12%
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 IRTR and AACTX in my portfolio?

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

IRTR has higher volatility (2.12%) compared to AACTX (1.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRTR dropped -6.29% vs AACTX's -46.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AACTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.32), 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.