TRRKX vs. VFIFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TRRKX (T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund) and VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TRRKX returned 10.99%/yr vs 11.66%/yr for VFIFX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TRRKX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFIFX.

Performance

TRRKX vs. VFIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund (TRRKX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TRRKX achieves a 10.62% return, which is significantly lower than VFIFX's 11.27% return. Over the past 10 years, TRRKX has underperformed VFIFX with an annualized return of 10.99%, while VFIFX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.66% annualized return.

TRRKX

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 2.97%
• YTD: 10.62%
• 6M: 7.04%
• 1Y: 19.81%
• 3Y*: 16.66%
• 5Y*: 7.70%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

VFIFX

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 3.50%
• YTD: 11.27%
• 6M: 12.02%
• 1Y: 26.88%
• 3Y*: 19.39%
• 5Y*: 10.01%
• 10Y*: 11.66%

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

TRRKX vs. VFIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRRKX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund	10.62%	14.20%	13.94%	20.52%	-19.03%	15.80%	18.64%	25.41%	-7.66%	22.42%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	11.27%	21.42%	14.45%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.42%	16.40%	24.99%	-7.89%	19.15%

Correlation

The correlation between TRRKX and VFIFX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2006	0.98

The correlation between TRRKX and VFIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TRRKX vs. VFIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRRKX

TRRKX Risk / Return Rank: 36
TRRKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
TRRKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
TRRKX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
TRRKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
TRRKX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

VFIFX

VFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

TRRKX vs. VFIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund (TRRKX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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.

	TRRKX	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	2.40	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	3.33	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.44	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	3.08	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.08	13.67	-4.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRRKX vs. VFIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRRKX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the VFIFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRRKX and VFIFX, 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

	TRRKX	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71	2.40	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.71	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.77	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.51	0.00

Drawdowns

TRRKX vs. VFIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRRKX drawdown since its inception was -53.54%, roughly equal to the maximum VFIFX drawdown of -51.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRRKX and VFIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRRKX	VFIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.54%	-51.68%	-1.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.49%	-8.87%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.16%	-14.54%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.75%	-25.40%	-3.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.48%	-31.36%	-1.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-0.71%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.21%	-6.88%	-0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	2.00%	+0.25%

Volatility

TRRKX vs. VFIFX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund (TRRKX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) have volatilities of 3.47% and 3.43%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRRKX	VFIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.47%	3.43%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.96%	9.04%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.09%	11.38%	+0.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.92%	14.18%	+0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.33%	15.11%	+0.22%

TRRKX vs. VFIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRRKX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIFX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRRKX vs. VFIFX - Dividend Comparison

TRRKX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRRKX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund	0.00%	0.00%	1.96%	4.40%	7.83%	5.58%	4.52%	5.94%	8.98%	3.52%	3.20%	4.25%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	1.88%	2.09%	2.26%	2.21%	2.38%	12.83%	1.84%	2.20%	2.51%	0.03%	2.04%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRRKX and VFIFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, TRRKX and VFIFX 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, TRRKX or VFIFX?

TRRKX has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to VFIFX (3.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRRKX dropped -53.54% vs VFIFX's -51.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.71), 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.