LIRAX vs. VTMFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

LIRAX (BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares) and VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - LIRAX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while VTMFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Composite benchmark: Russell 1000 Index and Bloomberg 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, LIRAX returned 5.77%/yr vs 8.70%/yr for VTMFX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LIRAX charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTMFX.

Performance

LIRAX vs. VTMFX - 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 Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). 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 LIRAX having a 5.17% return and VTMFX slightly higher at 5.23%. Over the past 10 years, LIRAX has underperformed VTMFX with an annualized return of 5.77%, while VTMFX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.70% annualized return.

LIRAX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 4.92%
• 1Y: 12.73%
• 3Y*: 9.59%
• 5Y*: 3.73%
• 10Y*: 5.77%

VTMFX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 5.23%
• 6M: 4.83%
• 1Y: 14.99%
• 3Y*: 12.08%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 8.70%

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

LIRAX vs. VTMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares	5.17%	12.09%	5.84%	11.22%	-15.49%	6.42%	11.05%	15.60%	-3.79%	10.43%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	5.23%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%

Correlation

The correlation between LIRAX and VTMFX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2011	0.88

The correlation between LIRAX and VTMFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LIRAX vs. VTMFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIRAX

LIRAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
LIRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
LIRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
LIRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
LIRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
LIRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VTMFX - 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 Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). 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	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.43	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	3.42	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.46	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	2.91	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.42	13.60	-0.19

LIRAX vs. VTMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIRAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the VTMFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIRAX and VTMFX, 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. VTMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIRAX drawdown since its inception was -20.67%, smaller than the maximum VTMFX drawdown of -28.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIRAX and VTMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIRAX	VTMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.67%	-28.49%	+7.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.29%	-5.38%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.63%	-10.61%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.67%	-17.40%	-3.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.67%	-21.87%	+1.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.75%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.93%	-3.54%	+0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	1.15%	-0.16%

Volatility

LIRAX vs. VTMFX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) have volatilities of 2.43% and 2.45%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LIRAX	VTMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.43%	2.45%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.98%	5.18%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.96%	6.46%	-0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.88%	8.57%	-0.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	9.15%	-1.62%

LIRAX vs. VTMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIRAX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMFX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

LIRAX vs. VTMFX - Dividend Comparison

LIRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.36%, more than VTMFX's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares	3.36%	3.53%	1.82%	2.37%	2.42%	2.42%	1.70%	2.22%	2.18%	1.99%	2.23%	2.67%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.12%	2.14%	2.08%	1.94%	1.85%	1.38%	1.72%	2.05%	2.22%	2.00%	2.13%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LIRAX and VTMFX in my portfolio?

LIRAX and VTMFX have a correlation of 0.90, 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 VTMFX?

VTMFX has higher volatility (2.45%) compared to LIRAX (2.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIRAX dropped -20.67% vs VTMFX's -28.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.23), 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.