PARFX vs. VWUSX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PARFX (T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund) and VWUSX (Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - PARFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VWUSX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PARFX returned 11.43%/yr vs 19.08%/yr for VWUSX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PARFX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for VWUSX.

Performance

PARFX vs. VWUSX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PARFX achieves a 11.08% return, which is significantly higher than VWUSX's 1.43% return. Over the past 10 years, PARFX has underperformed VWUSX with an annualized return of 11.43%, while VWUSX has yielded a comparatively higher 19.08% annualized return.

PARFX

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: 1.33%
• YTD: 11.08%
• 6M: 10.82%
• 1Y: 25.57%
• 3Y*: 17.25%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 11.43%

VWUSX

• 1D: 1.64%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 0.62%
• 1Y: 13.87%
• 3Y*: 19.80%
• 5Y*: 11.30%
• 10Y*: 19.08%

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

PARFX vs. VWUSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PARFX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund	11.08%	18.56%	13.90%	20.55%	-19.31%	17.22%	18.32%	25.12%	-7.93%	20.76%
VWUSX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares	1.43%	15.39%	31.65%	45.17%	-39.64%	35.76%	58.63%	45.61%	0.65%	31.11%

Correlation

The correlation between PARFX and VWUSX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2007	0.89

The correlation between PARFX and VWUSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PARFX vs. VWUSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PARFX

PARFX Risk / Return Rank: 54
PARFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
PARFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PARFX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
PARFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PARFX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VWUSX

VWUSX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VWUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VWUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
VWUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VWUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VWUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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. VWUSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (PARFX) and Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX). 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	VWUSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	0.76	+1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	1.13	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.14	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	0.69	+1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.25	2.04	+9.22

PARFX vs. VWUSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PARFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the VWUSX Sharpe Ratio of 0.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PARFX and VWUSX, 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. VWUSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PARFX drawdown since its inception was -53.67%, smaller than the maximum VWUSX drawdown of -73.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PARFX and VWUSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PARFX	VWUSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.67%	-73.31%	+19.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.77%	-19.15%	+9.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.48%	-25.01%	+9.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.08%	-42.18%	+14.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.52%	-42.18%	+9.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-3.92%	+3.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.63%	-22.81%	+15.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	6.52%	-4.28%

Volatility

PARFX vs. VWUSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (PARFX) is 4.91%, while Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX) has a volatility of 6.62%. This indicates that PARFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWUSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PARFX	VWUSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.91%	6.62%	-1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.46%	13.69%	-3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.54%	17.44%	-4.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.17%	26.94%	-11.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.46%	24.70%	-9.24%

PARFX vs. VWUSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PARFX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VWUSX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PARFX vs. VWUSX - Dividend Comparison

PARFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.44%, less than VWUSX's 9.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PARFX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund	3.44%	3.82%	1.69%	4.32%	7.60%	6.77%	4.27%	5.55%	8.33%	2.34%	3.11%	4.00%
VWUSX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares	9.24%	9.37%	4.60%	0.28%	0.37%	30.03%	3.90%	11.66%	9.65%	4.63%	1.52%	8.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PARFX and VWUSX in my portfolio?

PARFX and VWUSX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PARFX or VWUSX?

VWUSX has higher volatility (6.62%) compared to PARFX (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PARFX dropped -53.67% vs VWUSX's -73.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PARFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 0.76), 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.