TRRMX vs. VFIAX
TRRMX (T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - TRRMX is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. TRRMX is actively managed, while VFIAX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TRRMX returned 10.76%/yr vs 14.96%/yr for VFIAX. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. TRRMX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.
Performance
TRRMX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TRRMX achieves a 10.81% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 9.33% return. Over the past 10 years, TRRMX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 10.76%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.96% annualized return.
TRRMX
- 1D
- 1.78%
- 1M
- 0.00%
- 6M
- 5.92%
- YTD
- 10.81%
- 1Y
- 17.43%
- 3Y*
- 14.38%
- 5Y*
- 7.90%
- 10Y*
- 10.76%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.09%
VFIAX
- 1D
- 1.66%
- 1M
- -0.56%
- 6M
- 7.77%
- YTD
- 9.33%
- 1Y
- 20.60%
- 3Y*
- 19.00%
- 5Y*
- 12.65%
- 10Y*
- 14.96%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.81%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
TRRMX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TRRMX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund | 10.81% | 14.26% | 14.19% | 20.85% | -19.09% | 17.51% | 18.67% | 25.35% | -7.66% | 20.83% |
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | 9.33% | 17.83% | 24.97% | 26.24% | -18.16% | 28.65% | 18.32% | 31.46% | -4.45% | 21.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between TRRMX and VFIAX is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.91 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.93 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2007 | 0.95 |
The correlation between TRRMX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TRRMX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank
TRRMX
VFIAX
TRRMX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (TRRMX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.
| TRRMX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.26 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.64 | 2.06 | -0.42 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.65 | 8.84 | -2.19 |
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Drawdowns
TRRMX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TRRMX drawdown since its inception was -53.59%, roughly equal to the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRRMX and VFIAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TRRMX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -53.59% | -55.20% | +1.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.74% | -8.90% | -0.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.50% | -18.75% | +3.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.95% | -24.53% | -3.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.51% | -33.83% | +1.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.95% | -2.11% | +1.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.52% | -9.35% | +1.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.38% | 2.07% | +0.31% |
Volatility
TRRMX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (TRRMX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) have volatilities of 3.49% and 3.44%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| TRRMX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.49% | 3.44% | +0.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.91% | 10.09% | +0.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.42% | 12.86% | +0.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.35% | 17.01% | -1.66% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.45% | 18.07% | -2.62% |
TRRMX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TRRMX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
TRRMX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison
TRRMX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TRRMX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.88% | 4.45% | 7.81% | 6.91% | 4.33% | 5.75% | 8.56% | 2.32% | 3.08% | 3.96% |
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.07% | 1.12% | 1.24% | 1.45% | 1.68% | 1.24% | 1.53% | 1.87% | 2.05% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, TRRMX and VFIAX 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.
TRRMX has higher volatility (3.49%) compared to VFIAX (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRRMX dropped -53.59% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.
VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.19), 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.
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