LIRIX vs. BGSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

LIRIX (BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund) and BGSAX (BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A) are both mutual funds - LIRIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while BGSAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, LIRIX returned 6.03%/yr vs 26.34%/yr for BGSAX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LIRIX charges 0.11%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for BGSAX.

Performance

LIRIX vs. BGSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund (LIRIX) and BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A (BGSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LIRIX achieves a 5.30% return, which is significantly lower than BGSAX's 43.67% return. Over the past 10 years, LIRIX has underperformed BGSAX with an annualized return of 6.03%, while BGSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 26.34% annualized return.

LIRIX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 5.30%
• 6M: 5.08%
• 1Y: 13.03%
• 3Y*: 9.82%
• 5Y*: 3.98%
• 10Y*: 6.03%

BGSAX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 9.19%
• YTD: 43.67%
• 6M: 42.15%
• 1Y: 65.19%
• 3Y*: 39.96%
• 5Y*: 16.00%
• 10Y*: 26.34%

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

LIRIX vs. BGSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIRIX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund	5.30%	12.41%	6.04%	11.50%	-15.31%	6.69%	11.40%	15.84%	-3.54%	10.68%
BGSAX BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A	43.67%	19.63%	40.56%	49.09%	-43.13%	8.19%	86.27%	43.84%	2.03%	49.45%

Correlation

The correlation between LIRIX and BGSAX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2011	0.74

The correlation between LIRIX and BGSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LIRIX vs. BGSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIRIX

LIRIX Risk / Return Rank: 75
LIRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
LIRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
LIRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
LIRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
LIRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

BGSAX

BGSAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
BGSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BGSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
BGSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
BGSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
BGSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

LIRIX vs. BGSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund (LIRIX) and BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A (BGSAX). 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.

	LIRIX	BGSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.43	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	2.95	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.41	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.65	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.95	10.67	+3.28

LIRIX vs. BGSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIRIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the BGSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIRIX and BGSAX, 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

LIRIX vs. BGSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIRIX drawdown since its inception was -20.49%, smaller than the maximum BGSAX drawdown of -73.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIRIX and BGSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIRIX	BGSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.49%	-73.75%	+53.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.23%	-18.49%	+14.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.56%	-27.75%	+20.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.49%	-49.22%	+28.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.49%	-49.22%	+28.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.22%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.85%	-26.33%	+23.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	6.32%	-5.35%

Volatility

LIRIX vs. BGSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund (LIRIX) is 2.40%, while BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A (BGSAX) has a volatility of 14.30%. This indicates that LIRIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BGSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LIRIX	BGSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.40%	14.30%	-11.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.99%	23.64%	-18.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.95%	27.91%	-21.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.88%	28.33%	-20.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	26.20%	-18.67%

LIRIX vs. BGSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIRIX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than BGSAX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

LIRIX vs. BGSAX - Dividend Comparison

LIRIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.64%, less than BGSAX's 9.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BGSAX BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A	9.43%	13.55%	8.68%	0.00%	0.00%	7.66%	4.86%	1.50%	1.24%	8.01%	1.17%	0.00%
LIRIX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund	3.64%	3.83%	2.02%	2.62%	2.69%	2.68%	1.93%	2.43%	2.44%	2.22%	2.47%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LIRIX and BGSAX in my portfolio?

LIRIX and BGSAX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LIRIX or BGSAX?

BGSAX has higher volatility (14.30%) compared to LIRIX (2.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIRIX dropped -20.49% vs BGSAX's -73.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BGSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.28), 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.