TRRMX vs. VFIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TRRMX (T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund) and VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TRRMX returned 11.17%/yr vs 11.74%/yr for VFIFX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TRRMX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFIFX.

Performance

TRRMX vs. VFIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (TRRMX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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 TRRMX having a 11.69% return and VFIFX slightly higher at 12.06%. Over the past 10 years, TRRMX has underperformed VFIFX with an annualized return of 11.17%, while VFIFX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.74% annualized return.

TRRMX

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 8.00%
• 1Y: 21.15%
• 3Y*: 17.18%
• 5Y*: 8.47%
• 10Y*: 11.17%

VFIFX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 12.99%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

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

TRRMX vs. VFIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRRMX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund	11.69%	14.26%	14.19%	20.85%	-19.09%	17.51%	18.67%	25.35%	-7.66%	20.83%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	12.06%	21.42%	14.45%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.42%	16.40%	24.99%	-7.89%	19.15%

Correlation

The correlation between TRRMX 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 Jan 4, 2007	0.98

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

Return for Risk

TRRMX vs. VFIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRRMX

TRRMX Risk / Return Rank: 39
TRRMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
TRRMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TRRMX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
TRRMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
TRRMX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VFIFX

VFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

TRRMX vs. VFIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (TRRMX) 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.

	TRRMX	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.51	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	3.47	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.46	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	3.21	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.45	14.25	-4.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRRMX vs. VFIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRRMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the VFIFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRRMX 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

	TRRMX	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	2.51	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.73	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.78	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.52	-0.05

Drawdowns

TRRMX vs. VFIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRRMX drawdown since its inception was -53.59%, roughly equal to the maximum VFIFX drawdown of -51.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRRMX and VFIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRRMX	VFIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.59%	-51.68%	-1.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.74%	-8.87%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.50%	-14.54%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.95%	-25.40%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.51%	-31.36%	-1.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.57%	-6.88%	-0.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.31%	2.00%	+0.31%

Volatility

TRRMX vs. VFIFX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (TRRMX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) have volatilities of 3.46% and 3.35%, 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

	TRRMX	VFIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.46%	3.35%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.30%	9.02%	+1.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.37%	11.36%	+1.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.21%	14.18%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.49%	15.11%	+0.38%

TRRMX vs. VFIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRRMX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIFX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRRMX vs. VFIFX - Dividend Comparison

TRRMX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%.

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%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	1.86%	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 TRRMX and VFIFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, TRRMX 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, TRRMX or VFIFX?

TRRMX has higher volatility (3.46%) compared to VFIFX (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRRMX dropped -53.59% vs VFIFX's -51.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.79), 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.