LIRAX vs. VTWNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LIRAX (BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares) and VTWNX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, LIRAX returned 5.70%/yr vs 6.81%/yr for VTWNX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LIRAX charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VTWNX.

Performance

LIRAX vs. VTWNX - 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 Target Retirement 2020 Fund (VTWNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LIRAX achieves a 5.70% return, which is significantly higher than VTWNX's 5.10% return. Over the past 10 years, LIRAX has underperformed VTWNX with an annualized return of 5.70%, while VTWNX has yielded a comparatively higher 6.81% annualized return.

LIRAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 2.21%
• YTD: 5.70%
• 6M: 5.87%
• 1Y: 14.33%
• 3Y*: 9.86%
• 5Y*: 3.97%
• 10Y*: 5.70%

VTWNX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 5.10%
• 6M: 5.39%
• 1Y: 13.27%
• 3Y*: 10.58%
• 5Y*: 4.89%
• 10Y*: 6.81%

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

LIRAX vs. VTWNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares	5.70%	12.09%	5.84%	11.22%	-15.49%	6.42%	11.05%	15.60%	-3.79%	10.43%
VTWNX Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund	5.10%	12.17%	7.57%	12.71%	-14.17%	8.15%	12.05%	17.64%	-4.23%	11.83%

Correlation

The correlation between LIRAX and VTWNX is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2011	0.95

The correlation between LIRAX and VTWNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LIRAX vs. VTWNX — 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: 80
LIRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
LIRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
LIRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
LIRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

VTWNX

VTWNX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTWNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VTWNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VTWNX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VTWNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTWNX 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.

LIRAX vs. VTWNX - 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 Target Retirement 2020 Fund (VTWNX). 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.

	LIRAX	VTWNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.53	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	3.69	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.50	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	3.04	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.02	13.32	+1.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LIRAX vs. VTWNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIRAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the VTWNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIRAX and VTWNX, 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

	LIRAX	VTWNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	2.53	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.66	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.83	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.55	+0.21

Drawdowns

LIRAX vs. VTWNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIRAX drawdown since its inception was -20.67%, smaller than the maximum VTWNX drawdown of -42.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIRAX and VTWNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIRAX	VTWNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.67%	-42.16%	+21.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.29%	-4.43%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.63%	-6.20%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.67%	-19.38%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.67%	-19.38%	-1.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.94%	-4.80%	+1.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	1.01%	-0.05%

Volatility

LIRAX vs. VTWNX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund (VTWNX) have volatilities of 1.98% and 1.90%, 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	VTWNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.98%	1.90%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.52%	4.36%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.55%	5.32%	+0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.83%	7.40%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.50%	8.28%	-0.78%

LIRAX vs. VTWNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIRAX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than VTWNX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

LIRAX vs. VTWNX - Dividend Comparison

LIRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.34%, less than VTWNX's 7.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares	3.34%	3.53%	1.82%	2.37%	2.42%	2.42%	1.70%	2.22%	2.18%	1.99%	2.23%	2.67%
VTWNX Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund	7.80%	8.20%	9.35%	6.20%	4.99%	19.57%	6.28%	3.54%	4.94%	0.73%	2.74%	4.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LIRAX and VTWNX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, LIRAX and VTWNX 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, LIRAX or VTWNX?

LIRAX has higher volatility (1.98%) compared to VTWNX (1.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIRAX dropped -20.67% vs VTWNX's -42.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.53), 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.