IRTR vs. VTINX
IRTR (iShares LifePath Retirement ETF) and VTINX (Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past year, IRTR returned 13.71% vs 11.60% for VTINX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.08% expense ratio.
Performance
IRTR vs. VTINX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IRTR achieves a 5.18% return, which is significantly higher than VTINX's 4.47% return.
IRTR
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 0.85%
- YTD
- 5.18%
- 6M
- 5.24%
- 1Y
- 13.71%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VTINX
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 0.98%
- YTD
- 4.47%
- 6M
- 4.54%
- 1Y
- 11.60%
- 3Y*
- 9.10%
- 5Y*
- 4.22%
- 10Y*
- 5.31%
IRTR vs. VTINX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IRTR iShares LifePath Retirement ETF | 5.18% | 12.70% | 7.59% | 11.03% |
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund | 4.47% | 11.31% | 6.66% | 8.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between IRTR and VTINX 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 19, 2023 | 0.96 |
The correlation between IRTR and VTINX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IRTR vs. VTINX — Risk / Return Rank
IRTR
VTINX
IRTR vs. VTINX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares LifePath Retirement ETF (IRTR) and Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX). 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.
| IRTR | VTINX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.44 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.86 | 2.77 | +0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.37 | 11.98 | +0.40 |
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Drawdowns
IRTR vs. VTINX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IRTR drawdown since its inception was -6.29%, smaller than the maximum VTINX drawdown of -19.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRTR and VTINX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IRTR | VTINX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.29% | -19.96% | +13.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.82% | -4.14% | -0.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -5.26% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -17.02% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -17.02% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.37% | -0.21% | -0.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.78% | -2.20% | +1.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.11% | 0.96% | +0.15% |
Volatility
IRTR vs. VTINX - Volatility Comparison
iShares LifePath Retirement ETF (IRTR) has a higher volatility of 2.43% compared to Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) at 2.18%. This indicates that IRTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTINX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IRTR | VTINX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.43% | 2.18% | +0.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.27% | 4.40% | +0.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.32% | 5.18% | +1.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.11% | 6.12% | +0.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.11% | 5.76% | +1.35% |
IRTR vs. VTINX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both IRTR and VTINX have an expense ratio of 0.08%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
IRTR vs. VTINX - Dividend Comparison
IRTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, less than VTINX's 4.81% 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% |
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund | 4.81% | 5.02% | 5.89% | 4.01% | 3.08% | 8.63% | 3.42% | 2.62% | 4.19% | 1.56% | 2.27% | 3.53% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, IRTR and VTINX 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.
IRTR has higher volatility (2.43%) compared to VTINX (2.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRTR dropped -6.29% vs VTINX's -19.96%.
VTINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 2.18), 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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