MDLOX vs. AAFTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MDLOX (BlackRock Global Allocation Fund) and AAFTX (American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund) are both mutual funds - MDLOX is a Global Allocation fund actively managed by BlackRock, while AAFTX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, MDLOX returned 8.33%/yr vs 10.41%/yr for AAFTX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MDLOX charges 1.11%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AAFTX.

Performance

MDLOX vs. AAFTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (MDLOX) and American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MDLOX achieves a 8.12% return, which is significantly higher than AAFTX's 7.09% return. Over the past 10 years, MDLOX has underperformed AAFTX with an annualized return of 8.33%, while AAFTX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.41% annualized return.

MDLOX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 4.30%
• YTD: 8.12%
• 6M: 9.24%
• 1Y: 20.25%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 5.80%
• 10Y*: 8.33%

AAFTX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 7.09%
• 6M: 7.56%
• 1Y: 18.49%
• 3Y*: 15.25%
• 5Y*: 7.80%
• 10Y*: 10.41%

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

MDLOX vs. AAFTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MDLOX BlackRock Global Allocation Fund	8.12%	19.38%	9.00%	12.35%	-16.08%	6.40%	24.62%	17.23%	-7.66%	13.30%
AAFTX American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund	7.09%	16.77%	12.40%	16.50%	-16.53%	15.20%	17.23%	22.81%	-5.48%	20.68%

Correlation

The correlation between MDLOX and AAFTX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2007	0.94

The correlation between MDLOX and AAFTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MDLOX vs. AAFTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDLOX

MDLOX Risk / Return Rank: 50
MDLOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
MDLOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
MDLOX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
MDLOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
MDLOX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

AAFTX

AAFTX Risk / Return Rank: 57
AAFTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
AAFTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
AAFTX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
AAFTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AAFTX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

MDLOX vs. AAFTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (MDLOX) and American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX). 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.

	MDLOX	AAFTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	2.23	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	3.19	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.42	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	2.70	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.58	12.07	-1.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDLOX vs. AAFTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDLOX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the AAFTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDLOX and AAFTX, 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

	MDLOX	AAFTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	2.23	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.69	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.82	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.53	+0.26

Drawdowns

MDLOX vs. AAFTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDLOX drawdown since its inception was -32.96%, smaller than the maximum AAFTX drawdown of -49.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDLOX and AAFTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDLOX	AAFTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.96%	-49.89%	+16.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.30%	-6.99%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.08%	-10.58%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.89%	-23.31%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.89%	-26.72%	+3.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.48%	-6.80%	+2.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.56%	+0.37%

Volatility

MDLOX vs. AAFTX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (MDLOX) has a higher volatility of 2.91% compared to American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX) at 2.54%. This indicates that MDLOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAFTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDLOX	AAFTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	2.54%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.81%	6.77%	+1.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.56%	8.46%	+1.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.85%	11.44%	-0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.71%	12.71%	-2.00%

MDLOX vs. AAFTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDLOX has a 1.11% expense ratio, which is higher than AAFTX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

MDLOX vs. AAFTX - Dividend Comparison

MDLOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.39%, more than AAFTX's 5.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAFTX American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.59%	5.99%	4.26%	2.61%	5.43%	5.25%	3.53%	4.21%	4.80%	2.38%	3.52%	5.63%
MDLOX BlackRock Global Allocation Fund	8.39%	9.07%	7.50%	1.15%	5.98%	10.11%	10.01%	5.44%	5.21%	4.56%	1.81%	9.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MDLOX and AAFTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, MDLOX and AAFTX 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, MDLOX or AAFTX?

MDLOX has higher volatility (2.91%) compared to AAFTX (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDLOX dropped -32.96% vs AAFTX's -49.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAFTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.15), 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.