LIRAX vs. VDC

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

LIRAX (BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares) and VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) are both funds - LIRAX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, LIRAX returned 5.66%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for VDC. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LIRAX charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDC.

Performance

LIRAX vs. VDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LIRAX achieves a 4.83% return, which is significantly lower than VDC's 10.55% return. Over the past 10 years, LIRAX has underperformed VDC with an annualized return of 5.66%, while VDC has yielded a comparatively higher 8.03% annualized return.

LIRAX

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 4.83%
• 6M: 5.33%
• 1Y: 12.84%
• 3Y*: 9.39%
• 5Y*: 3.57%
• 10Y*: 5.66%

VDC

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 8.59%
• 1Y: 8.56%
• 3Y*: 9.05%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

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

LIRAX vs. VDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares	4.83%	12.09%	5.84%	11.22%	-15.49%	6.42%	11.05%	15.60%	-3.79%	10.43%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	10.55%	2.17%	13.30%	2.38%	-1.79%	17.64%	10.86%	26.11%	-7.79%	11.85%

Correlation

The correlation between LIRAX and VDC is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2011	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between LIRAX and VDC has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

LIRAX vs. VDC — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIRAX

LIRAX Risk / Return Rank: 79
LIRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
LIRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
LIRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
LIRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
LIRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 19
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

LIRAX vs. VDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). 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.

	LIRAX	VDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	0.58	+1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.06	0.93	+2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.11	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	0.79	+2.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.83	1.60	+11.22

LIRAX vs. VDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIRAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the VDC Sharpe Ratio of 0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIRAX and VDC, 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

LIRAX vs. VDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIRAX drawdown since its inception was -20.67%, smaller than the maximum VDC drawdown of -34.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIRAX and VDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIRAX	VDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.67%	-34.24%	+13.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.29%	-9.28%	+4.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.63%	-11.78%	+4.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.67%	-16.55%	-4.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.67%	-25.31%	+4.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-4.37%	+3.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.94%	-3.73%	+0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	4.57%	-3.59%

Volatility

LIRAX vs. VDC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX) is 2.57%, while Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) has a volatility of 4.62%. This indicates that LIRAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LIRAX	VDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.57%	4.62%	-2.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.92%	10.02%	-5.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.89%	12.57%	-6.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.87%	13.17%	-5.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	14.66%	-7.13%

LIRAX vs. VDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIRAX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than VDC's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

LIRAX vs. VDC - Dividend Comparison

LIRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.37%, more than VDC's 2.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares	3.37%	3.53%	1.82%	2.37%	2.42%	2.42%	1.70%	2.22%	2.18%	1.99%	2.23%	2.67%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.08%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LIRAX and VDC in my portfolio?

LIRAX and VDC have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LIRAX or VDC?

VDC has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to LIRAX (2.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIRAX dropped -20.67% vs VDC's -34.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 0.58), 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.