VFAIX vs. LIVIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) and LIVIX (BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund) are both mutual funds - VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while LIVIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, VFAIX returned 12.42%/yr vs 12.04%/yr for LIVIX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.10% expense ratio.

Performance

VFAIX vs. LIVIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) and BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund (LIVIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFAIX achieves a -5.08% return, which is significantly lower than LIVIX's 13.10% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFAIX having a 12.42% annualized return and LIVIX not far behind at 12.04%.

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: -5.08%
• 6M: -2.61%
• 1Y: 3.83%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

LIVIX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 5.62%
• YTD: 13.10%
• 6M: 13.99%
• 1Y: 29.98%
• 3Y*: 19.96%
• 5Y*: 10.51%
• 10Y*: 12.04%

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

VFAIX vs. LIVIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-5.08%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%
LIVIX BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund	13.10%	21.57%	13.60%	21.62%	-18.38%	18.75%	14.99%	26.76%	-7.83%	21.38%

Correlation

The correlation between VFAIX and LIVIX is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2011	0.78

The correlation between VFAIX and LIVIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFAIX vs. LIVIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 4
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

LIVIX

LIVIX Risk / Return Rank: 69
LIVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
LIVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
LIVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
LIVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
LIVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VFAIX vs. LIVIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) and BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund (LIVIX). 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.

	VFAIX	LIVIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.29	2.43	-2.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.48	3.37	-2.88
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.44	-0.38
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.29	3.22	-2.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.76	14.29	-13.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFAIX vs. LIVIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFAIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.29, which is lower than the LIVIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFAIX and LIVIX, 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

	VFAIX	LIVIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29	2.43	-2.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.67	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.72	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.64	-0.41

Drawdowns

VFAIX vs. LIVIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFAIX drawdown since its inception was -78.64%, which is greater than LIVIX's maximum drawdown of -34.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFAIX and LIVIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFAIX	LIVIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.64%	-34.44%	-44.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.72%	-9.44%	-5.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.31%	-17.39%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.71%	-26.45%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.37%	-34.44%	-9.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.97%	0.00%	-7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.61%	-4.52%	-14.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.51%	2.13%	+3.38%

Volatility

VFAIX vs. LIVIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) is 3.07%, while BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund (LIVIX) has a volatility of 3.86%. This indicates that VFAIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LIVIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFAIX	LIVIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	3.86%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.98%	10.06%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.68%	12.54%	+2.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.33%	15.84%	+3.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.60%	16.72%	+5.88%

VFAIX vs. LIVIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VFAIX and LIVIX have an expense ratio of 0.10%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFAIX vs. LIVIX - Dividend Comparison

VFAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, less than LIVIX's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIVIX BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund	2.19%	2.48%	0.01%	2.04%	1.96%	2.04%	1.56%	2.95%	2.35%	2.27%	1.54%	2.88%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.54%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFAIX and LIVIX in my portfolio?

VFAIX and LIVIX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFAIX or LIVIX?

LIVIX has higher volatility (3.86%) compared to VFAIX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFAIX dropped -78.64% vs LIVIX's -34.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIVIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 0.29), 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.