VFIFX vs. AVEFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) and AVEFX (Ave Maria Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - VFIFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while AVEFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Ave Maria Mutual Funds. Over the past 10 years, VFIFX returned 11.74%/yr vs 3.86%/yr for AVEFX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFIFX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for AVEFX.

Performance

VFIFX vs. AVEFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIFX achieves a 12.06% return, which is significantly higher than AVEFX's 1.45% return. Over the past 10 years, VFIFX has outperformed AVEFX with an annualized return of 11.74%, while AVEFX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.86% annualized return.

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%

AVEFX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.42%
• 1Y: 4.53%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 3.86%

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

VFIFX vs. AVEFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
AVEFX Ave Maria Bond Fund	1.45%	5.63%	5.71%	5.16%	-2.84%	4.38%	5.60%	8.30%	0.41%	4.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIFX and AVEFX is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2006	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between VFIFX and AVEFX has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VFIFX vs. AVEFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

AVEFX

AVEFX Risk / Return Rank: 29
AVEFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
AVEFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
AVEFX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
AVEFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
AVEFX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

VFIFX vs. AVEFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). 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.

	VFIFX	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.64	+0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	2.50	+0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.29	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	1.87	+1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	5.07	+9.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFIFX vs. AVEFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the AVEFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIFX and AVEFX, 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

	VFIFX	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	1.64	+0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.70	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.97	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	1.10	-0.59

Drawdowns

VFIFX vs. AVEFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIFX drawdown since its inception was -51.68%, which is greater than AVEFX's maximum drawdown of -10.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIFX and AVEFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIFX	AVEFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.68%	-10.24%	-41.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.87%	-2.58%	-6.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.54%	-2.82%	-11.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-7.70%	-17.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.36%	-10.24%	-21.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.11%	+2.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.88%	-0.97%	-5.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	0.95%	+1.05%

Volatility

VFIFX vs. AVEFX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) has a higher volatility of 3.35% compared to Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX) at 0.83%. This indicates that VFIFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVEFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIFX	AVEFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	0.83%	+2.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	2.26%	+6.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.36%	2.93%	+8.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.18%	4.13%	+10.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.11%	4.02%	+11.09%

VFIFX vs. AVEFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIFX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than AVEFX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFIFX vs. AVEFX - Dividend Comparison

VFIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, less than AVEFX's 3.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEFX Ave Maria Bond Fund	3.47%	3.51%	2.94%	2.47%	3.59%	2.32%	2.43%	3.31%	3.21%	2.04%	2.94%	1.89%
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 VFIFX and AVEFX in my portfolio?

VFIFX and AVEFX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFIFX or AVEFX?

VFIFX has higher volatility (3.35%) compared to AVEFX (0.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIFX dropped -51.68% vs AVEFX's -10.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.64), 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.