STLFX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STLFX (BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - STLFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, STLFX returned 11.19%/yr vs 12.42%/yr for VFAIX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. STLFX charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

STLFX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund (STLFX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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 VFAIX's -5.08% return. Over the past 10 years, STLFX has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 11.19%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.42% 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%

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: -5.08%
• 6M: -2.61%
• 1Y: 3.83%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

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

STLFX vs. VFAIX - 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%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-5.08%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between STLFX and VFAIX is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2008	0.78

The correlation between STLFX and VFAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

STLFX vs. VFAIX — 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

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 4
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund (STLFX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	0.29	+1.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	0.48	+2.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.06	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	0.29	+2.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.18	0.76	+12.42
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. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STLFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STLFX and VFAIX, 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	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	0.29	+1.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.43	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.55	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.23	+0.19

Drawdowns

STLFX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STLFX drawdown since its inception was -50.35%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STLFX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STLFX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.35%	-78.64%	+28.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.45%	-14.72%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.35%	-17.31%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.07%	-25.71%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.48%	-44.37%	+9.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.97%	+7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-18.61%	+11.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	5.51%	-3.35%

Volatility

STLFX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock LifePath Dynamic 2050 Fund (STLFX) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 3.07%. This indicates that STLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STLFX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	3.07%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.69%	10.98%	-0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.41%	14.68%	-1.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.86%	19.33%	-2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.42%	22.60%	-6.18%

STLFX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STLFX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

STLFX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

STLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.48%, more than VFAIX's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.54%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STLFX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

STLFX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STLFX or VFAIX?

STLFX has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to VFAIX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STLFX dropped -50.35% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STLFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 0.29), 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.