SWYAX vs. PADLX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SWYAX (Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund) and PADLX (Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, SWYAX returned 4.53%/yr vs 3.94%/yr for PADLX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWYAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for PADLX.

Performance

SWYAX vs. PADLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund (SWYAX) and Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SWYAX having a 4.41% return and PADLX slightly higher at 4.51%.

SWYAX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 4.41%
• 6M: 4.53%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: 9.77%
• 5Y*: 4.53%
• 10Y*: —

PADLX

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 4.51%
• 6M: 5.05%
• 1Y: 13.15%
• 3Y*: 10.30%
• 5Y*: 3.94%
• 10Y*: —

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

SWYAX vs. PADLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SWYAX Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund	4.41%	11.17%	7.18%	11.95%	-13.28%	6.99%	10.23%
PADLX Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund	4.51%	10.83%	8.34%	11.01%	-12.54%	2.93%	7.84%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYAX and PADLX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2020	0.94

The correlation between SWYAX and PADLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWYAX vs. PADLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWYAX

SWYAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
SWYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SWYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SWYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SWYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SWYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

PADLX

PADLX Risk / Return Rank: 87
PADLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PADLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PADLX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PADLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
PADLX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

SWYAX vs. PADLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund (SWYAX) and Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX). 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.

	SWYAX	PADLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.99	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	4.45	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.59	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.75	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	16.42	-2.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWYAX vs. PADLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the PADLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYAX and PADLX, 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

	SWYAX	PADLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.99	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.60	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.64	+0.15

Drawdowns

SWYAX vs. PADLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYAX drawdown since its inception was -19.82%, which is greater than PADLX's maximum drawdown of -18.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYAX and PADLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYAX	PADLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.82%	-18.87%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.16%	-3.63%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.50%	-6.63%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.82%	-18.87%	-0.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.35%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.36%	-4.83%	+1.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	0.83%	+0.09%

Volatility

SWYAX vs. PADLX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund (SWYAX) has a higher volatility of 1.76% compared to Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX) at 1.54%. This indicates that SWYAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PADLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWYAX	PADLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.76%	1.54%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.13%	3.63%	+0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.16%	4.56%	+0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.78%	6.66%	+1.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.44%	7.51%	-0.07%

SWYAX vs. PADLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than PADLX's 0.22% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWYAX vs. PADLX - Dividend Comparison

SWYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, less than PADLX's 4.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
PADLX Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund	4.96%	5.03%	3.71%	2.91%	1.01%	1.45%	1.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SWYAX Schwab Target 2010 Index Fund	3.99%	4.17%	3.79%	2.85%	2.69%	2.54%	1.98%	2.27%	2.01%	1.18%	0.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYAX and PADLX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, SWYAX and PADLX 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, SWYAX or PADLX?

SWYAX has higher volatility (1.76%) compared to PADLX (1.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYAX dropped -19.82% vs PADLX's -18.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PADLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.42), 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.