LFAI vs. GOVZ

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

LFAI (LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF) and GOVZ (iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. LFAI is actively managed, while GOVZ is passively managed. Over the past year, LFAI returned -0.64% vs -7.36% for GOVZ. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. LFAI charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for GOVZ.

Performance

LFAI vs. GOVZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF (LFAI) and iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LFAI achieves a -2.25% return, which is significantly higher than GOVZ's -6.93% return.

LFAI

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -2.37%
• 6M: -2.26%
• YTD: -2.25%
• 1Y: -0.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -2.00%

GOVZ

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: -6.91%
• 6M: -6.43%
• YTD: -6.93%
• 1Y: -7.36%
• 3Y*: -8.06%
• 5Y*: -14.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -14.18%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF	$6.61M	$6.41M	$8.12M
LFAI LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF	$3.88K	$4.56K	$38.61K

LFAI vs. GOVZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LFAI LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF	-2.25%	6.06%	-7.12%
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF	-6.93%	-1.81%	-18.27%

Correlation

The correlation between LFAI and GOVZ is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2024	0.91

The correlation between LFAI and GOVZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LFAI vs. GOVZ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

LFAI

LFAI Risk / Return Rank: 12
LFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
LFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
LFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 11
LFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
LFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 12

GOVZ

GOVZ Risk / Return Rank: 6
GOVZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
GOVZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
GOVZ Omega Ratio Rank: 6
GOVZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
GOVZ Martin Ratio Rank: 6

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

LFAI vs. GOVZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF (LFAI) and iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ). 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.

	LFAI	GOVZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.08	-0.38	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.16	-0.44	+0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	0.95	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.09	-0.40	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.22	-0.81	+1.03

LFAI vs. GOVZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFAI Sharpe Ratio is 0.08, which is higher than the GOVZ Sharpe Ratio of -0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFAI and GOVZ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

LFAI vs. GOVZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFAI drawdown since its inception was -8.64%, smaller than the maximum GOVZ drawdown of -59.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFAI and GOVZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFAI	GOVZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.64%	-59.65%	+51.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.30%	-14.87%	+9.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-57.63%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.14%	-59.10%	+53.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-40.34%	+36.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.31%	7.27%	-4.96%

Volatility

LFAI vs. GOVZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF (LFAI) is 1.59%, while iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that LFAI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GOVZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LFAI	GOVZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.59%	4.48%	-2.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.73%	11.11%	-6.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.13%	15.58%	-9.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.07%	23.80%	-16.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.07%	23.18%	-16.11%

LFAI vs. GOVZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFAI has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than GOVZ's 0.15% 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

LFAI vs. GOVZ - Dividend Comparison

LFAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.71%, more than GOVZ's 5.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF	5.06%	5.00%	4.68%	3.84%	3.69%	1.76%	0.39%
LFAI LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF	13.71%	16.48%	1.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LFAI and GOVZ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, LFAI and GOVZ 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, LFAI or GOVZ?

GOVZ has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to LFAI (1.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFAI dropped -8.64% vs GOVZ's -59.65%.

Which ETF is better, LFAI or GOVZ?

On 1-year performance, LFAI leads with -0.64% vs -7.36% for GOVZ. On fees, GOVZ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LFAI has been the lower-risk option at 1.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LFAI or GOVZ?

Over the 1-year period, LFAI has performed better with a -0.64% return vs -7.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LFAI or GOVZ?

GOVZ is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for LFAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LFAI or GOVZ?

LFAI has the higher dividend yield at 13.71%, compared with 5.06% for GOVZ.

What is the main difference between LFAI and GOVZ?

They also come from different issuers: Stone Ridge and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for LFAI and 0.15% for GOVZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LFAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.08 vs -0.38), 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.