STLFX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

STLFX (BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - STLFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the 60% CRSP US Total Market Index / 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, STLFX returned 11.19%/yr vs 9.80%/yr for VBIAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STLFX charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

Performance

STLFX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STLFX achieves a 12.43% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's 6.69% return. Over the past 10 years, STLFX has outperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 11.19%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.80% annualized return.

STLFX

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 1.64%
• YTD: 12.43%
• 6M: 12.13%
• 1Y: 28.17%
• 3Y*: 15.39%
• 5Y*: 8.68%
• 10Y*: 11.19%

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 6.69%
• 6M: 6.29%
• 1Y: 18.22%
• 3Y*: 14.11%
• 5Y*: 7.84%
• 10Y*: 9.80%

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

STLFX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STLFX BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund	12.43%	20.03%	5.73%	22.31%	-18.73%	18.12%	14.82%	26.48%	-8.22%	21.73%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	6.69%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between STLFX and VBIAX 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	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2008	0.93

The correlation between STLFX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STLFX vs. VBIAX — 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: 51
STLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
STLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
STLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
STLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund (STLFX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.

	STLFX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.18	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	3.07	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.40	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	3.12	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.46	13.84	-1.38

STLFX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STLFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STLFX and VBIAX, 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

STLFX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STLFX drawdown since its inception was -50.35%, which is greater than VBIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STLFX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STLFX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.35%	-35.90%	-14.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.45%	-5.83%	-3.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.35%	-11.70%	-11.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.07%	-21.53%	-5.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.48%	-22.78%	-11.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-0.62%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.76%	-4.44%	-2.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	1.31%	+0.90%

Volatility

STLFX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund (STLFX) has a higher volatility of 5.64% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 3.33%. This indicates that STLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STLFX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.64%	3.33%	+2.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.77%	6.72%	+5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.19%	8.36%	+5.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.99%	11.12%	+5.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.48%	11.25%	+5.23%

STLFX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STLFX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

STLFX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

STLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.51%, more than VBIAX's 5.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
STLFX BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund	5.51%	6.20%	1.86%	2.91%	2.51%	16.88%	2.27%	6.09%	15.73%	5.87%	2.00%	9.21%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.25%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STLFX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, STLFX and VBIAX 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 VBIAX?

STLFX has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to VBIAX (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STLFX dropped -50.35% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.94), 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.