IRTR vs. LIRIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IRTR (Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF) and LIRIX (BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past year, IRTR returned 13.84% vs 13.73% for LIRIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IRTR charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for LIRIX.

Performance

IRTR vs. LIRIX - 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 (LIRIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IRTR having a 5.36% return and LIRIX slightly higher at 5.43%.

IRTR

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

LIRIX

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 5.43%
• 6M: 5.69%
• 1Y: 13.73%
• 3Y*: 9.98%
• 5Y*: 4.02%
• 10Y*: 5.92%

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

IRTR vs. LIRIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	5.36%	12.70%	7.59%	10.63%
LIRIX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund	5.43%	12.41%	6.04%	10.63%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

IRTR vs. LIRIX — 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

LIRIX

LIRIX Risk / Return Rank: 77
LIRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
LIRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
LIRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
LIRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
LIRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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. LIRIX - 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 (LIRIX). 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	LIRIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.55	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.72	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.50	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	3.38	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	15.05	-2.35
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. LIRIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the LIRIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRTR and LIRIX, 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	LIRIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.55	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	0.79	+1.23

Drawdowns

IRTR vs. LIRIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRTR drawdown since its inception was -6.29%, smaller than the maximum LIRIX drawdown of -20.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRTR and LIRIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRTR	LIRIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-20.49%	+14.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.82%	-4.23%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-7.56%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.49%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.38%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-2.86%	+2.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	0.95%	+0.14%

Volatility

IRTR vs. LIRIX - Volatility Comparison

Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) and BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund (LIRIX) have volatilities of 2.12% and 2.03%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRTR	LIRIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	2.03%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.85%	4.57%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.00%	5.59%	+0.41%
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. LIRIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRTR has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than LIRIX's 0.11% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IRTR vs. LIRIX - Dividend Comparison

IRTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, less than LIRIX's 3.64% 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%
LIRIX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund	3.64%	3.83%	2.02%	2.62%	2.69%	2.68%	1.93%	2.43%	2.44%	2.22%	2.47%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IRTR and LIRIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, IRTR and LIRIX 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 LIRIX?

IRTR has higher volatility (2.12%) compared to LIRIX (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRTR dropped -6.29% vs LIRIX's -20.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIRIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 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.