STLAX vs. ECAT

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

STLAX (BlackRock LifePath Dynamic Retirement Fund) and ECAT (BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust) are both mutual funds - STLAX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while ECAT is a Derivative Income fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 3 years, STLAX returned 11.00%/yr vs 18.45%/yr for ECAT. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. STLAX charges 0.51%/yr vs 1.38%/yr for ECAT.

Performance

STLAX vs. ECAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath Dynamic Retirement Fund (STLAX) and BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (ECAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STLAX achieves a 5.88% return, which is significantly lower than ECAT's 9.37% return.

STLAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: 5.88%
• 6M: 6.27%
• 1Y: 13.78%
• 3Y*: 11.00%
• 5Y*: 4.65%
• 10Y*: 6.55%

ECAT

• 1D: -1.85%
• 1M: 3.95%
• YTD: 9.37%
• 6M: 8.16%
• 1Y: 18.52%
• 3Y*: 18.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

STLAX vs. ECAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
STLAX BlackRock LifePath Dynamic Retirement Fund	5.88%	12.00%	8.16%	12.51%	-14.86%	2.20%
ECAT BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust	9.37%	16.64%	19.96%	32.36%	-21.90%	-6.25%

Correlation

The correlation between STLAX and ECAT is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2021	0.67

The correlation between STLAX and ECAT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STLAX vs. ECAT — Risk / Return Rank

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

STLAX

STLAX Risk / Return Rank: 57
STLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
STLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
STLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
STLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
STLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

ECAT

ECAT Risk / Return Rank: 24
ECAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
ECAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
ECAT Omega Ratio Rank: 24
ECAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
ECAT Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

STLAX vs. ECAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Dynamic Retirement Fund (STLAX) and BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (ECAT). 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.

	STLAX	ECAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.36	+0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	1.95	+1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.24	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	1.56	+1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.67	5.86	+6.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STLAX vs. ECAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STLAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the ECAT Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STLAX and ECAT, 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

	STLAX	ECAT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	1.36	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.52	+0.34

Drawdowns

STLAX vs. ECAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STLAX drawdown since its inception was -25.68%, smaller than the maximum ECAT drawdown of -32.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STLAX and ECAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	STLAX	ECAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.68%	-32.23%	+6.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.70%	-11.80%	+7.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.88%	-15.79%	+7.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.58%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-2.85%	+2.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-9.10%	+6.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	3.14%	-2.06%

Volatility

STLAX vs. ECAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock LifePath Dynamic Retirement Fund (STLAX) is 2.07%, while BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (ECAT) has a volatility of 3.95%. This indicates that STLAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ECAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STLAX	ECAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.07%	3.95%	-1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.41%	10.65%	-5.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.71%	13.56%	-6.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.22%	16.90%	-6.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.86%	16.90%	-8.04%

STLAX vs. ECAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

STLAX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than ECAT's 1.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

STLAX vs. ECAT - Dividend Comparison

STLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, less than ECAT's 22.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECAT BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust	22.08%	23.00%	17.44%	9.14%	8.94%	0.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
STLAX BlackRock LifePath Dynamic Retirement Fund	4.56%	4.83%	11.22%	8.31%	1.14%	14.51%	6.38%	2.55%	9.46%	8.75%	1.47%	5.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STLAX and ECAT in my portfolio?

STLAX and ECAT have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STLAX or ECAT?

ECAT has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to STLAX (2.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STLAX dropped -25.68% vs ECAT's -32.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.36), 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.