LDDR vs. IRTR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LDDR (LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF) and IRTR (Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, LDDR returned 3.60% vs 14.08% for IRTR. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDDR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for IRTR.

Performance

LDDR vs. IRTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF (LDDR) and Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDDR achieves a -0.24% return, which is significantly lower than IRTR's 5.14% return.

LDDR

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.06%
• YTD: -0.24%
• 6M: -0.43%
• 1Y: 3.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IRTR

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 5.14%
• 6M: 5.38%
• 1Y: 14.08%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LDDR vs. IRTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LDDR LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF	-0.24%	6.74%
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	5.14%	12.30%

Correlation

The correlation between LDDR and IRTR is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2025	0.47

The correlation between LDDR and IRTR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LDDR vs. IRTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDDR

LDDR Risk / Return Rank: 31
LDDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
LDDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
LDDR Omega Ratio Rank: 30
LDDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
LDDR Martin Ratio Rank: 30

IRTR

IRTR Risk / Return Rank: 69
IRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
IRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 75
IRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
IRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

LDDR vs. IRTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF (LDDR) and Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR). 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.

	LDDR	IRTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	2.36	-1.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	3.43	-1.73
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.45	-0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	2.94	-1.49
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.30	12.92	-8.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LDDR vs. IRTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDDR Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is lower than the IRTR Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDDR and IRTR, 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

	LDDR	IRTR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12	2.36	-1.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.15	2.01	-0.86

Drawdowns

LDDR vs. IRTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDDR drawdown since its inception was -2.50%, smaller than the maximum IRTR drawdown of -6.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDDR and IRTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDDR	IRTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-6.29%	+3.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.50%	-4.82%	+2.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.77%	-0.41%	-1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.68%	-0.78%	+0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	1.09%	-0.25%

Volatility

LDDR vs. IRTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF (LDDR) is 1.00%, while Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) has a volatility of 2.15%. This indicates that LDDR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IRTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDDR	IRTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	2.15%	-1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.18%	4.85%	-2.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.23%	6.00%	-2.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.02%	7.04%	-3.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.02%	7.04%	-3.02%

LDDR vs. IRTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDDR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IRTR'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

LDDR vs. IRTR - Dividend Comparison

LDDR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.68%, more than IRTR's 2.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	2.99%	3.03%	3.03%	0.85%
LDDR LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF	12.68%	14.63%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDDR and IRTR in my portfolio?

LDDR and IRTR have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDDR or IRTR?

IRTR has higher volatility (2.15%) compared to LDDR (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDDR dropped -2.50% vs IRTR's -6.29%.

Which ETF is better, LDDR or IRTR?

On 1-year performance, IRTR leads with 14.08% vs 3.60% for LDDR. On fees, IRTR is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, LDDR has been the lower-risk option at 1.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDDR or IRTR?

Over the 1-year period, IRTR has performed better with a 14.08% return vs 3.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDDR or IRTR?

IRTR is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for LDDR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LDDR or IRTR?

LDDR has the higher dividend yield at 12.68%, compared with 2.99% for IRTR.

What is the main difference between LDDR and IRTR?

They also come from different issuers: STONE RIDGE and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for LDDR and 0.08% for IRTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.12), 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.