VFIFX vs. TRRMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) and TRRMX (T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, VFIFX returned 11.74%/yr vs 11.17%/yr for TRRMX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VFIFX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for TRRMX.

Performance

VFIFX vs. TRRMX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VFIFX having a 12.06% return and TRRMX slightly lower at 11.69%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFIFX having a 11.74% annualized return and TRRMX not far behind at 11.17%.

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%

TRRMX

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 8.00%
• 1Y: 21.15%
• 3Y*: 17.18%
• 5Y*: 8.47%
• 10Y*: 11.17%

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

VFIFX vs. TRRMX - 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%
TRRMX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund	11.69%	14.26%	14.19%	20.85%	-19.09%	17.51%	18.67%	25.35%	-7.66%	20.83%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIFX and TRRMX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2007	0.98

The correlation between VFIFX and TRRMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFIFX vs. TRRMX — 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

TRRMX

TRRMX Risk / Return Rank: 39
TRRMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
TRRMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TRRMX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
TRRMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
TRRMX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. TRRMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) and T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (TRRMX). 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	TRRMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.79	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	2.51	+0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.34	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	2.27	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	9.45	+4.80
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. TRRMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the TRRMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIFX and TRRMX, 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	TRRMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	1.79	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.56	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.73	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.47	+0.05

Drawdowns

VFIFX vs. TRRMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIFX drawdown since its inception was -51.68%, roughly equal to the maximum TRRMX drawdown of -53.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIFX and TRRMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIFX	TRRMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.68%	-53.59%	+1.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.87%	-9.74%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.54%	-15.50%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-27.95%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.36%	-32.51%	+1.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.88%	-7.57%	+0.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	2.31%	-0.31%

Volatility

VFIFX vs. TRRMX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) and T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund (TRRMX) have volatilities of 3.35% and 3.46%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VFIFX	TRRMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	3.46%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	10.30%	-1.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.36%	12.37%	-1.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.18%	15.21%	-1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.11%	15.49%	-0.38%

VFIFX vs. TRRMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIFX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than TRRMX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFIFX vs. TRRMX - Dividend Comparison

VFIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, while TRRMX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRRMX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund	0.00%	0.00%	1.88%	4.45%	7.81%	6.91%	4.33%	5.75%	8.56%	2.32%	3.08%	3.96%
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 TRRMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VFIFX and TRRMX 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.

Which is riskier, VFIFX or TRRMX?

TRRMX has higher volatility (3.46%) compared to VFIFX (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIFX dropped -51.68% vs TRRMX's -53.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.79), 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.