PARFX vs. PRCOX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

PARFX (T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund) and PRCOX (T. Rowe Price U.S. Equity Research Fund) are both mutual funds - PARFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while PRCOX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. Over the past 10 years, PARFX returned 11.55%/yr vs 16.24%/yr for PRCOX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PARFX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for PRCOX.

Performance

PARFX vs. PRCOX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (PARFX) and T. Rowe Price U.S. Equity Research Fund (PRCOX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PARFX having a 9.06% return and PRCOX slightly lower at 8.76%. Over the past 10 years, PARFX has underperformed PRCOX with an annualized return of 11.55%, while PRCOX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.24% annualized return.

PARFX

• 1D: -1.69%
• 1M: -0.51%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 6M: 8.20%
• 1Y: 21.06%
• 3Y*: 17.26%
• 5Y*: 8.26%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

PRCOX

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -1.18%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 22.33%
• 3Y*: 21.39%
• 5Y*: 13.64%
• 10Y*: 16.24%

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

PARFX vs. PRCOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PARFX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund	9.06%	18.56%	13.90%	20.55%	-19.31%	17.22%	18.32%	25.12%	-7.93%	20.76%
PRCOX T. Rowe Price U.S. Equity Research Fund	8.76%	16.34%	26.41%	29.82%	-18.80%	28.06%	19.82%	33.04%	-4.73%	23.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PARFX and PRCOX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2007	0.96

The correlation between PARFX and PRCOX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PARFX vs. PRCOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PARFX

PARFX Risk / Return Rank: 45
PARFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
PARFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PARFX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PARFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PARFX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

PRCOX

PRCOX Risk / Return Rank: 50
PRCOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PRCOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PRCOX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PRCOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PRCOX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

PARFX vs. PRCOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (PARFX) and T. Rowe Price U.S. Equity Research Fund (PRCOX). 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.

	PARFX	PRCOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.88	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.60	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.34	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	2.57	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.05	11.57	-1.53

PARFX vs. PRCOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PARFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the PRCOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PARFX and PRCOX, 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

PARFX vs. PRCOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PARFX drawdown since its inception was -53.67%, roughly equal to the maximum PRCOX drawdown of -53.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PARFX and PRCOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PARFX	PRCOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.67%	-53.96%	+0.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.77%	-9.32%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.48%	-19.39%	+3.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.08%	-24.94%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.52%	-34.42%	+1.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.27%	-2.96%	+0.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.63%	-9.17%	+1.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	2.06%	+0.18%

Volatility

PARFX vs. PRCOX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (PARFX) and T. Rowe Price U.S. Equity Research Fund (PRCOX) have volatilities of 5.09% and 5.20%, 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

	PARFX	PRCOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.09%	5.20%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.57%	10.43%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.66%	12.75%	-0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.19%	17.46%	-2.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.40%	18.37%	-2.97%

PARFX vs. PRCOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PARFX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than PRCOX's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

PARFX vs. PRCOX - Dividend Comparison

PARFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.50%, more than PRCOX's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PARFX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund	3.50%	3.82%	1.69%	4.32%	7.60%	6.77%	4.27%	5.55%	8.33%	2.34%	3.11%	4.00%
PRCOX T. Rowe Price U.S. Equity Research Fund	1.08%	1.17%	0.64%	1.17%	1.28%	3.71%	1.04%	1.39%	5.60%	7.02%	7.28%	8.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PARFX and PRCOX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PARFX and PRCOX 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, PARFX or PRCOX?

PRCOX has higher volatility (5.20%) compared to PARFX (5.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PARFX dropped -53.67% vs PRCOX's -53.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRCOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.78), 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.