SWYMX vs. ITDF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SWYMX (Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund) and ITDF (Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF) are both Target Retirement Date funds. SWYMX is passively managed, while ITDF is actively managed. Over the past year, SWYMX returned 21.61% vs 22.67% for ITDF. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. SWYMX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for ITDF.

Performance

SWYMX vs. ITDF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) and Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF (ITDF). 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 SWYMX having a 10.70% return and ITDF slightly higher at 10.90%.

SWYMX

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: -0.41%
• 6M: 7.73%
• YTD: 10.70%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 9.40%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.30%

ITDF

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -0.17%
• 6M: 7.65%
• YTD: 10.90%
• 1Y: 22.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.48%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ITDF Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF	$205.68K	$291.78K	$509.52K
SWYMX Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SWYMX vs. ITDF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SWYMX Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund	10.70%	19.42%	14.24%	12.57%
ITDF Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF	10.90%	20.86%	16.15%	12.92%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYMX and ITDF is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 19, 2023	0.98

The correlation between SWYMX and ITDF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWYMX vs. ITDF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SWYMX

SWYMX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SWYMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SWYMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SWYMX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SWYMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SWYMX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

ITDF

ITDF Risk / Return Rank: 72
ITDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
ITDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ITDF Omega Ratio Rank: 72
ITDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
ITDF Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SWYMX vs. ITDF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) and Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF (ITDF). 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.

	SWYMX	ITDF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.66	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.34	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.31	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.96	9.80	+0.16

SWYMX vs. ITDF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the ITDF Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYMX and ITDF, 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

SWYMX vs. ITDF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYMX drawdown since its inception was -30.48%, which is greater than ITDF's maximum drawdown of -15.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYMX and ITDF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYMX	ITDF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.48%	-15.67%	-14.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.55%	-9.32%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.31%	-1.30%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.45%	-1.52%	-2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	2.19%	-0.20%

Volatility

SWYMX vs. ITDF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) is 3.33%, while Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF (ITDF) has a volatility of 3.66%. This indicates that SWYMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITDF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWYMX	ITDF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	3.66%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	10.88%	-0.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.19%	13.00%	-0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.85%	13.93%	+0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.60%	13.93%	+1.67%

SWYMX vs. ITDF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYMX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than ITDF's 0.11% 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

SWYMX vs. ITDF - Dividend Comparison

SWYMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, more than ITDF's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ITDF Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2050 ETF	1.49%	1.65%	1.55%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SWYMX Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund	1.81%	2.00%	2.03%	1.99%	1.96%	1.78%	1.65%	1.96%	2.15%	1.43%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYMX and ITDF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, SWYMX and ITDF 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, SWYMX or ITDF?

ITDF has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to SWYMX (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYMX dropped -30.48% vs ITDF's -15.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.63), 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.