STLFX vs. LIRKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STLFX (BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund) and LIRKX (BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, STLFX returned 11.19%/yr vs 6.01%/yr for LIRKX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STLFX charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for LIRKX.

Performance

STLFX vs. LIRKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund (STLFX) and BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund (LIRKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STLFX achieves a 13.13% return, which is significantly higher than LIRKX's 5.84% return. Over the past 10 years, STLFX has outperformed LIRKX with an annualized return of 11.19%, while LIRKX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.01% annualized return.

STLFX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 5.27%
• YTD: 13.13%
• 6M: 14.07%
• 1Y: 28.27%
• 3Y*: 16.89%
• 5Y*: 8.54%
• 10Y*: 11.19%

LIRKX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 5.84%
• 6M: 6.09%
• 1Y: 14.71%
• 3Y*: 10.18%
• 5Y*: 4.26%
• 10Y*: 6.01%

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

STLFX vs. LIRKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STLFX BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund	13.13%	20.03%	5.73%	22.31%	-18.73%	18.12%	14.82%	26.48%	-8.22%	21.73%
LIRKX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund	5.84%	12.48%	6.08%	11.48%	-15.21%	6.75%	11.46%	15.90%	-3.50%	10.75%

Correlation

The correlation between STLFX and LIRKX 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	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2011	0.87

The correlation between STLFX and LIRKX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STLFX vs. LIRKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

STLFX

STLFX Risk / Return Rank: 56
STLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
STLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
STLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
STLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
STLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

LIRKX

LIRKX Risk / Return Rank: 81
LIRKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
LIRKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
LIRKX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
LIRKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
LIRKX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

STLFX vs. LIRKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund (STLFX) and BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund (LIRKX). 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.

	STLFX	LIRKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	2.68	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	3.90	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.53	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.51	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.18	15.84	-2.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STLFX vs. LIRKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STLFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the LIRKX Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STLFX and LIRKX, 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

	STLFX	LIRKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	2.68	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.55	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.80	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.80	-0.38

Drawdowns

STLFX vs. LIRKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STLFX drawdown since its inception was -50.35%, which is greater than LIRKX's maximum drawdown of -20.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STLFX and LIRKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STLFX	LIRKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.35%	-20.46%	-29.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.45%	-4.23%	-5.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.35%	-7.55%	-15.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.07%	-20.46%	-6.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.48%	-20.46%	-14.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-2.83%	-3.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	0.94%	+1.22%

Volatility

STLFX vs. LIRKX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund (STLFX) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund (LIRKX) at 1.98%. This indicates that STLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LIRKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STLFX	LIRKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	1.98%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.69%	4.52%	+6.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.41%	5.54%	+7.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.86%	7.82%	+9.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.42%	7.51%	+8.91%

STLFX vs. LIRKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STLFX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than LIRKX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

STLFX vs. LIRKX - Dividend Comparison

STLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.48%, more than LIRKX's 3.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIRKX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund	3.67%	3.89%	2.06%	2.67%	2.75%	2.74%	1.98%	2.48%	2.50%	2.28%	2.53%	2.98%
STLFX BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund	5.48%	6.20%	1.86%	2.91%	2.51%	16.88%	2.27%	6.09%	15.73%	5.87%	2.00%	9.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STLFX and LIRKX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, STLFX and LIRKX 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, STLFX or LIRKX?

STLFX has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to LIRKX (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STLFX dropped -50.35% vs LIRKX's -20.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIRKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.13), 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.