IRTR vs. LIRAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IRTR (Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF) and LIRAX (BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past year, IRTR returned 13.84% vs 13.50% for LIRAX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IRTR charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.44%/yr for LIRAX.

Performance

IRTR vs. LIRAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) and BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX). 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 IRTR having a 5.36% return and LIRAX slightly lower at 5.30%.

IRTR

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

LIRAX

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 5.30%
• 6M: 5.53%
• 1Y: 13.50%
• 3Y*: 9.72%
• 5Y*: 3.78%
• 10Y*: 5.66%

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

IRTR vs. LIRAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	5.36%	12.70%	7.59%	10.63%
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares	5.30%	12.09%	5.84%	10.57%

Correlation

The correlation between IRTR and LIRAX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2023	0.97

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

Return for Risk

IRTR vs. LIRAX — 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

LIRAX

LIRAX Risk / Return Rank: 75
LIRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
LIRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
LIRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
LIRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
LIRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. LIRAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) and BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX). 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	LIRAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.51	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.63	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.49	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	3.25	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	14.48	-1.78
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. LIRAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the LIRAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRTR and LIRAX, 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	LIRAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.51	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	0.75	+1.27

Drawdowns

IRTR vs. LIRAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRTR drawdown since its inception was -6.29%, smaller than the maximum LIRAX drawdown of -20.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRTR and LIRAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRTR	LIRAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-20.67%	+14.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.82%	-4.29%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-7.63%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.67%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.38%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-2.94%	+2.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	0.96%	+0.13%

Volatility

IRTR vs. LIRAX - Volatility Comparison

Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) has a higher volatility of 2.12% compared to BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX) at 1.98%. This indicates that IRTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LIRAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRTR	LIRAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	1.98%	+0.14%
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%	5.56%	+0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.03%	7.83%	-0.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.03%	7.50%	-0.47%

IRTR vs. LIRAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRTR has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than LIRAX's 0.44% expense ratio.

Dividends

IRTR vs. LIRAX - Dividend Comparison

IRTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, less than LIRAX's 3.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares	3.36%	3.53%	1.82%	2.37%	2.42%	2.42%	1.70%	2.22%	2.18%	1.99%	2.23%	2.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IRTR and LIRAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, IRTR and LIRAX 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 LIRAX?

IRTR has higher volatility (2.12%) compared to LIRAX (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRTR dropped -6.29% vs LIRAX's -20.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 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.