VFIFX vs. PADLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) and PADLX (Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, VFIFX returned 10.35%/yr vs 4.13%/yr for PADLX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFIFX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for PADLX.

Performance

VFIFX vs. PADLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) and Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX). 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 PADLX's 4.88% 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%

PADLX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 4.88%
• 6M: 5.33%
• 1Y: 13.98%
• 3Y*: 10.43%
• 5Y*: 4.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

VFIFX vs. PADLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	12.06%	21.42%	14.45%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.42%	15.50%
PADLX Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund	4.88%	10.83%	8.34%	11.01%	-12.54%	2.93%	7.84%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIFX and PADLX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2020	0.85

The correlation between VFIFX and PADLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFIFX vs. PADLX — 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

PADLX

PADLX Risk / Return Rank: 89
PADLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
PADLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PADLX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
PADLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
PADLX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. PADLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) and Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX). 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	PADLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	3.14	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	4.67	-1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.63	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.92	-0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	17.17	-2.91
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. PADLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the PADLX Sharpe Ratio of 3.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIFX and PADLX, 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	PADLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	3.14	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.62	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.65	-0.14

Drawdowns

VFIFX vs. PADLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIFX drawdown since its inception was -51.68%, which is greater than PADLX's maximum drawdown of -18.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIFX and PADLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIFX	PADLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.68%	-18.87%	-32.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.87%	-3.63%	-5.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.54%	-6.63%	-7.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-18.87%	-6.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.88%	-4.83%	-2.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	0.83%	+1.17%

Volatility

VFIFX vs. PADLX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) has a higher volatility of 3.35% compared to Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX) at 1.57%. This indicates that VFIFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PADLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIFX	PADLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	1.57%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	3.62%	+5.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.36%	4.54%	+6.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.18%	6.65%	+7.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.11%	7.51%	+7.60%

VFIFX vs. PADLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIFX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than PADLX's 0.22% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFIFX vs. PADLX - Dividend Comparison

VFIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, less than PADLX's 4.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PADLX Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund	4.94%	5.03%	3.71%	2.91%	1.01%	1.45%	1.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 PADLX in my portfolio?

VFIFX and PADLX have a correlation of 0.89, 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 PADLX?

VFIFX has higher volatility (3.35%) compared to PADLX (1.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIFX dropped -51.68% vs PADLX's -18.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PADLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.14 vs 2.51), 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.