VTHRX vs. LTSTX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VTHRX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund) and LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, VTHRX returned 8.89%/yr vs 8.04%/yr for LTSTX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTHRX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTSTX.

Performance

VTHRX vs. LTSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX) and Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTHRX achieves a 7.80% return, which is significantly higher than LTSTX's 5.01% return. Over the past 10 years, VTHRX has outperformed LTSTX with an annualized return of 8.89%, while LTSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.04% annualized return.

VTHRX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 3.00%
• YTD: 7.80%
• 6M: 8.65%
• 1Y: 19.60%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 8.89%

LTSTX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 5.01%
• 6M: 5.40%
• 1Y: 13.75%
• 3Y*: 12.27%
• 5Y*: 5.57%
• 10Y*: 8.04%

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

VTHRX vs. LTSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTHRX Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund	7.80%	16.25%	10.43%	16.24%	-16.28%	11.37%	14.11%	21.08%	-5.85%	15.24%
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	5.01%	12.16%	11.91%	13.30%	-15.23%	10.91%	13.70%	20.50%	-6.41%	16.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VTHRX and LTSTX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2008	0.97

The correlation between VTHRX and LTSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTHRX vs. LTSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTHRX

VTHRX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTHRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTHRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTHRX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VTHRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VTHRX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

LTSTX

LTSTX Risk / Return Rank: 54
LTSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
LTSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
LTSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
LTSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LTSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

VTHRX vs. LTSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX) and Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX). 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.

	VTHRX	LTSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	2.11	+0.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	3.05	+0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.41	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	2.68	+0.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.41	12.12	+1.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTHRX vs. LTSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTHRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the LTSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTHRX and LTSTX, 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

	VTHRX	LTSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	2.11	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.61	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.82	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.48	+0.02

Drawdowns

VTHRX vs. LTSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTHRX drawdown since its inception was -49.57%, roughly equal to the maximum LTSTX drawdown of -48.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHRX and LTSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTHRX	LTSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.57%	-48.17%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.56%	-5.24%	-1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.64%	-8.12%	-1.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.75%	-21.01%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.86%	-23.33%	-1.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.19%	-6.16%	-0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	1.16%	+0.33%

Volatility

VTHRX vs. LTSTX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX) has a higher volatility of 2.60% compared to Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) at 2.03%. This indicates that VTHRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LTSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTHRX	LTSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.60%	2.03%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.53%	5.39%	+1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.09%	6.65%	+1.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.36%	9.18%	+1.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.26%	9.83%	+1.43%

VTHRX vs. LTSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTHRX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than LTSTX's 0.01% 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

VTHRX vs. LTSTX - Dividend Comparison

VTHRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.74%, less than LTSTX's 11.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	11.61%	12.19%	9.74%	4.26%	8.00%	7.66%	5.25%	6.91%	6.39%	4.75%	3.65%	8.91%
VTHRX Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund	3.74%	4.03%	3.63%	2.59%	2.53%	17.56%	2.56%	2.38%	2.71%	0.06%	2.38%	3.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTHRX and LTSTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VTHRX and LTSTX 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, VTHRX or LTSTX?

VTHRX has higher volatility (2.60%) compared to LTSTX (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTHRX dropped -49.57% vs LTSTX's -48.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTHRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.11), 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.