ITDF vs. VFIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ITDF (Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF) and VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past year, ITDF returned 27.50% vs 28.12% for VFIFX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ITDF charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFIFX.

Performance

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF (ITDF) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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 ITDF having a 11.50% return and VFIFX slightly higher at 12.06%.

ITDF

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.54%
• YTD: 11.50%
• 6M: 12.25%
• 1Y: 27.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VFIFX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 12.99%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

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

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ITDF Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF	11.50%	20.86%	16.15%	12.92%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	12.06%	21.42%	14.45%	12.56%

Correlation

The correlation between ITDF and VFIFX is 0.99 - 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	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2023	0.99

The correlation between ITDF and VFIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITDF	VFIFX
Technology	26.4%	27.3%
Financial Services	15.8%	16.1%
Industrials	11.7%	12.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	9.4%
Healthcare	8.1%	8.3%
Communication Services	8.0%	8.0%
Real Estate	5.2%	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.8%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.3%
Energy	4.2%	4.3%
Utilities	2.6%	2.7%

Return for Risk

ITDF vs. VFIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITDF

ITDF Risk / Return Rank: 67
ITDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ITDF Omega Ratio Rank: 68
ITDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
ITDF Martin Ratio Rank: 70

VFIFX

VFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF (ITDF) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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.

	ITDF	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.51	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.47	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.46	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	3.21	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.13	14.25	-1.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITDF Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the VFIFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITDF and VFIFX, 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

	ITDF	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	2.51	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.76	0.52	+1.25

Drawdowns

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITDF drawdown since its inception was -15.67%, smaller than the maximum VFIFX drawdown of -51.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITDF and VFIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITDF	VFIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.67%	-51.68%	+36.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-8.87%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	0.00%	-0.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.51%	-6.88%	+5.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.10%	2.00%	+0.10%

Volatility

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Volatility Comparison

Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF (ITDF) has a higher volatility of 3.79% compared to Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) at 3.35%. This indicates that ITDF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ITDF	VFIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	3.35%	+0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.67%	9.02%	+0.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.04%	11.36%	+0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.88%	14.18%	-0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.88%	15.11%	-1.23%

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITDF has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIFX'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

ITDF vs. VFIFX - Dividend Comparison

ITDF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, less than VFIFX's 1.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITDF Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF	1.48%	1.65%	1.55%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	1.86%	2.09%	2.26%	2.21%	2.38%	12.83%	1.84%	2.20%	2.51%	0.03%	2.04%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITDF and VFIFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, ITDF and VFIFX 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, ITDF or VFIFX?

ITDF has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to VFIFX (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITDF dropped -15.67% vs VFIFX's -51.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.29), 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.