TBLYX vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

TBLYX (T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - TBLYX is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. TBLYX is actively managed, while VDADX is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TBLYX returned 15.45%/yr vs 15.97%/yr for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TBLYX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

TBLYX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund (TBLYX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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 higher than VDADX's 7.11% return.

TBLYX

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

VDADX

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 2.55%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 17.59%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 10.60%
• 10Y*: 13.17%

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

TBLYX vs. VDADX - 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%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.11%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	8.45%

Correlation

The correlation between TBLYX and VDADX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2021	0.87

The correlation between TBLYX and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TBLYX vs. VDADX — 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

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund (TBLYX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.80	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	2.61	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.32	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.33	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.93	9.37	+1.57

TBLYX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBLYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBLYX and VDADX, 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. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBLYX drawdown since its inception was -24.54%, smaller than the maximum VDADX drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBLYX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBLYX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.54%	-31.70%	+7.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-7.93%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.02%	-14.95%	+1.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.58%	-0.81%	-0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.07%	-3.40%	-2.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	1.97%	-0.17%

Volatility

TBLYX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund (TBLYX) has a higher volatility of 4.08% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) at 2.95%. This indicates that TBLYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TBLYX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	2.95%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.52%	7.87%	+0.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.34%	10.27%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.11%	14.30%	-1.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.11%	16.20%	-3.09%

TBLYX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TBLYX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

TBLYX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

TBLYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, more than VDADX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TBLYX T. Rowe Price Retirement Blend 2035 Fund	2.32%	2.50%	2.05%	1.94%	2.18%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TBLYX and VDADX in my portfolio?

TBLYX and VDADX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TBLYX or VDADX?

TBLYX has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to VDADX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBLYX dropped -24.54% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TBLYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.80), 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.