VFFVX vs. IVV
VFFVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund) and IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VFFVX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VFFVX returned 11.48%/yr vs 14.95%/yr for IVV. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VFFVX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for IVV.
Performance
VFFVX vs. IVV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VFFVX having a 9.64% return and IVV slightly lower at 9.40%. Over the past 10 years, VFFVX has underperformed IVV with an annualized return of 11.48%, while IVV has yielded a comparatively higher 14.95% annualized return.
VFFVX
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- -1.75%
- 6M
- 6.82%
- YTD
- 9.64%
- 1Y
- 20.07%
- 3Y*
- 16.80%
- 5Y*
- 9.72%
- 10Y*
- 11.48%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.00%
IVV
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- -0.63%
- 6M
- 7.87%
- YTD
- 9.40%
- 1Y
- 19.60%
- 3Y*
- 19.51%
- 5Y*
- 12.87%
- 10Y*
- 14.95%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.43%
VFFVX vs. IVV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund | 9.64% | 21.44% | 14.50% | 20.39% | -17.48% | 16.44% | 16.33% | 24.98% | -7.88% | 21.39% |
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 9.40% | 17.85% | 24.93% | 26.31% | -18.16% | 28.76% | 18.40% | 31.07% | -4.49% | 21.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFFVX and IVV is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 2010 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VFFVX and IVV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VFFVX vs. IVV — Risk / Return Rank
VFFVX
IVV
VFFVX vs. IVV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). 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.
| VFFVX | IVV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.28 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.25 | 2.22 | +0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.54 | 9.59 | -0.05 |
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Drawdowns
VFFVX vs. IVV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFFVX drawdown since its inception was -31.40%, smaller than the maximum IVV drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFFVX and IVV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VFFVX | IVV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -31.40% | -55.25% | +23.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.93% | -8.89% | -0.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.52% | -18.75% | +4.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.39% | -24.53% | -0.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.40% | -33.90% | +2.50% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.25% | -2.06% | -0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.12% | -10.74% | +6.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.10% | 2.05% | +0.05% |
Volatility
VFFVX vs. IVV - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) have volatilities of 3.66% and 3.54%, 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
| VFFVX | IVV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.66% | 3.54% | +0.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.36% | 10.10% | +0.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.37% | 12.65% | -0.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.34% | 16.99% | -2.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.06% | 18.05% | -2.99% |
VFFVX vs. IVV - Expense Ratio Comparison
VFFVX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than IVV's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VFFVX vs. IVV - Dividend Comparison
VFFVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.90%, more than IVV's 1.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 1.10% | 1.17% | 1.30% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.20% | 1.57% | 1.85% | 2.21% | 1.75% | 2.01% | 2.27% |
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund | 1.90% | 2.08% | 2.31% | 2.18% | 2.19% | 10.03% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.35% | 1.83% | 1.99% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, VFFVX and IVV 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.
VFFVX has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to IVV (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFFVX dropped -31.40% vs IVV's -55.25%.
VFFVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.56), 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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