RFGTX vs. VIIIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

RFGTX (American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6) and VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - RFGTX is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by American Funds, while VIIIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. RFGTX is actively managed, while VIIIX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFGTX returned 11.90%/yr vs 15.65%/yr for VIIIX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. RFGTX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VIIIX.

Performance

RFGTX vs. VIIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFGTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFGTX achieves a 9.03% return, which is significantly lower than VIIIX's 10.19% return. Over the past 10 years, RFGTX has underperformed VIIIX with an annualized return of 11.90%, while VIIIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.65% annualized return.

RFGTX

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 1.77%
• YTD: 9.03%
• 6M: 9.05%
• 1Y: 22.34%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 9.66%
• 10Y*: 11.90%

VIIIX

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 10.19%
• 6M: 9.68%
• 1Y: 27.18%
• 3Y*: 21.39%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

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

RFGTX vs. VIIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	9.03%	19.52%	14.80%	19.33%	-17.53%	16.88%	18.79%	24.37%	-5.51%	21.98%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	10.19%	17.87%	26.29%	25.79%	-18.14%	28.69%	18.41%	31.48%	-4.41%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between RFGTX and VIIIX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010	0.96

The correlation between RFGTX and VIIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RFGTX vs. VIIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFGTX

RFGTX Risk / Return Rank: 56
RFGTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
RFGTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
RFGTX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
RFGTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
RFGTX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VIIIX

VIIIX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VIIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VIIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VIIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VIIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VIIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

RFGTX vs. VIIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFGTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). 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.

	RFGTX	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	2.17	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.93	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.39	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	3.04	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.70	13.74	-2.04

RFGTX vs. VIIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFGTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the VIIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFGTX and VIIIX, 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

RFGTX vs. VIIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFGTX drawdown since its inception was -28.52%, smaller than the maximum VIIIX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFGTX and VIIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFGTX	VIIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.52%	-55.18%	+26.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.39%	-8.90%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.48%	-18.75%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.85%	-24.50%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.52%	-33.79%	+5.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-1.36%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.90%	-10.00%	+6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	1.96%	-0.07%

Volatility

RFGTX vs. VIIIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFGTX) is 4.21%, while Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) has a volatility of 4.77%. This indicates that RFGTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFGTX	VIIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	4.77%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	9.91%	-1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.92%	12.47%	-1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.37%	16.99%	-3.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.13%	18.10%	-3.97%

RFGTX vs. VIIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFGTX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VIIIX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFGTX vs. VIIIX - Dividend Comparison

RFGTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.70%, more than VIIIX's 2.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RFGTX American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	5.70%	6.22%	3.80%	2.81%	6.71%	5.22%	3.53%	4.59%	5.29%	2.70%	3.88%	5.43%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.44%	2.11%	3.66%	2.66%	3.39%	4.79%	3.07%	2.86%	2.45%	1.84%	2.38%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFGTX and VIIIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, RFGTX and VIIIX 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, RFGTX or VIIIX?

VIIIX has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to RFGTX (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFGTX dropped -28.52% vs VIIIX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.02), 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.