TBLYX vs. TSPA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

TBLYX (T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund) and TSPA (T. Rowe Price US Equity Research ETF) are both funds - TBLYX is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while TSPA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, TBLYX returned 15.45%/yr vs 21.63%/yr for TSPA. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TBLYX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for TSPA.

Performance

TBLYX vs. TSPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund (TBLYX) and T. Rowe Price US Equity Research ETF (TSPA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TBLYX achieves a 7.90% return, which is significantly lower than TSPA's 9.54% return.

TBLYX

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 7.90%
• 6M: 8.49%
• 1Y: 19.16%
• 3Y*: 15.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TSPA

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -0.45%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 24.31%
• 3Y*: 21.63%
• 5Y*: 14.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

TBLYX vs. TSPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TBLYX T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund	7.90%	17.30%	12.43%	18.44%	-17.17%	4.09%
TSPA T. Rowe Price US Equity Research ETF	9.54%	16.44%	26.37%	29.95%	-18.70%	8.57%

Correlation

The correlation between TBLYX and TSPA is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2021	0.92

The correlation between TBLYX and TSPA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TBLYX vs. TSPA — Risk / Return Rank

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

TBLYX

TBLYX Risk / Return Rank: 64
TBLYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
TBLYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
TBLYX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
TBLYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
TBLYX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

TSPA

TSPA Risk / Return Rank: 67
TSPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
TSPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
TSPA Omega Ratio Rank: 68
TSPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
TSPA Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

TBLYX vs. TSPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund (TBLYX) and T. Rowe Price US Equity Research ETF (TSPA). 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.

	TBLYX	TSPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.91	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	2.60	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.35	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.64	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.93	11.98	-1.04

TBLYX vs. TSPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBLYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the TSPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBLYX and TSPA, 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

TBLYX vs. TSPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBLYX drawdown since its inception was -24.54%, roughly equal to the maximum TSPA drawdown of -24.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBLYX and TSPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBLYX	TSPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.54%	-24.72%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-9.24%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.02%	-19.04%	+6.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.58%	-2.25%	+0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.07%	-5.47%	-0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	2.04%	-0.24%

Volatility

TBLYX vs. TSPA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund (TBLYX) is 4.08%, while T. Rowe Price US Equity Research ETF (TSPA) has a volatility of 4.52%. This indicates that TBLYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TSPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TBLYX	TSPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	4.52%	-0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.52%	10.15%	-1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.34%	12.76%	-2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.11%	17.05%	-3.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.11%	17.03%	-3.92%

TBLYX vs. TSPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

TBLYX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than TSPA's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

TBLYX vs. TSPA - Dividend Comparison

TBLYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, more than TSPA's 0.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TBLYX T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund	2.32%	2.50%	2.05%	1.94%	2.18%	1.40%
TSPA T. Rowe Price US Equity Research ETF	0.57%	0.62%	0.50%	0.41%	1.16%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TBLYX and TSPA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TBLYX and TSPA 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, TBLYX or TSPA?

TSPA has higher volatility (4.52%) compared to TBLYX (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBLYX dropped -24.54% vs TSPA's -24.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.90), 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.