VFFVX vs. GWPCX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) and American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX).
VFFVX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Aug 18, 2010. GWPCX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on May 18, 2012.
Performance
VFFVX vs. GWPCX - Performance Comparison
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VFFVX vs. GWPCX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund | -1.45% | 21.44% | 14.50% | 20.39% | -17.48% | 16.44% | 16.33% | 24.98% | -7.88% | 21.39% |
GWPCX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C | -5.80% | 19.58% | 19.26% | 27.77% | -27.51% | 17.70% | 24.46% | 26.74% | -7.31% | 24.19% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VFFVX achieves a -1.45% return, which is significantly higher than GWPCX's -5.80% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFFVX having a 10.78% annualized return and GWPCX not far ahead at 11.07%.
VFFVX
- 1D
- 2.63%
- 1M
- -5.56%
- YTD
- -1.45%
- 6M
- 1.16%
- 1Y
- 19.94%
- 3Y*
- 15.66%
- 5Y*
- 8.43%
- 10Y*
- 10.78%
GWPCX
- 1D
- 3.38%
- 1M
- -6.95%
- YTD
- -5.80%
- 6M
- -3.65%
- 1Y
- 18.27%
- 3Y*
- 16.43%
- 5Y*
- 6.86%
- 10Y*
- 11.07%
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VFFVX vs. GWPCX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VFFVX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GWPCX's 1.49% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VFFVX vs. GWPCX — Risk / Return Rank
VFFVX
GWPCX
VFFVX vs. GWPCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) and American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX). 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.
| VFFVX | GWPCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.36 | 1.01 | +0.36 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.96 | 1.54 | +0.42 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.22 | +0.07 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.93 | 1.56 | +0.37 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.76 | 6.32 | +2.44 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VFFVX | GWPCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.36 | 1.01 | +0.36 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 | 0.38 | +0.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.72 | 0.62 | +0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.71 | 0.63 | +0.08 |
Correlation
The correlation between VFFVX and GWPCX is 0.96, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VFFVX vs. GWPCX - Dividend Comparison
VFFVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, less than GWPCX's 5.98% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund | 2.11% | 2.08% | 2.31% | 2.18% | 2.19% | 10.03% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.35% | 1.83% | 1.99% | 1.98% |
GWPCX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C | 5.98% | 5.63% | 5.59% | 0.96% | 9.93% | 3.48% | 3.04% | 5.54% | 5.45% | 2.73% | 3.67% | 4.25% |
Drawdowns
VFFVX vs. GWPCX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFFVX drawdown since its inception was -31.40%, smaller than the maximum GWPCX drawdown of -34.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFFVX and GWPCX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VFFVX | GWPCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -31.40% | -34.59% | +3.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.52% | -11.88% | +1.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.39% | -34.59% | +9.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.40% | -34.59% | +3.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.54% | -8.90% | +2.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.18% | -6.03% | +1.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.32% | 2.94% | -0.62% |
Volatility
VFFVX vs. GWPCX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) is 5.60%, while American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX) has a volatility of 6.58%. This indicates that VFFVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GWPCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VFFVX | GWPCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.60% | 6.58% | -0.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.97% | 11.25% | -2.28% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.01% | 18.84% | -3.83% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.12% | 18.17% | -4.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.06% | 17.96% | -2.90% |