VTINX vs. IRTR
VTINX (Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund) and IRTR (iShares LifePath Retirement ETF) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past year, VTINX returned 11.60% vs 13.71% for IRTR. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.08% expense ratio.
Performance
VTINX vs. IRTR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTINX achieves a 4.47% return, which is significantly lower than IRTR's 5.18% return.
VTINX
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 0.98%
- YTD
- 4.47%
- 6M
- 4.54%
- 1Y
- 11.60%
- 3Y*
- 9.10%
- 5Y*
- 4.22%
- 10Y*
- 5.31%
IRTR
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 0.85%
- YTD
- 5.18%
- 6M
- 5.24%
- 1Y
- 13.71%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VTINX vs. IRTR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund | 4.47% | 11.31% | 6.66% | 8.23% |
IRTR iShares LifePath Retirement ETF | 5.18% | 12.70% | 7.59% | 11.03% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTINX and IRTR 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 19, 2023 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VTINX and IRTR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VTINX vs. IRTR — Risk / Return Rank
VTINX
IRTR
VTINX vs. IRTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and iShares LifePath Retirement ETF (IRTR). 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.
| VTINX | IRTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.42 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.77 | 2.86 | -0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.98 | 12.37 | -0.40 |
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Drawdowns
VTINX vs. IRTR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTINX drawdown since its inception was -19.96%, which is greater than IRTR's maximum drawdown of -6.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTINX and IRTR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTINX | IRTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.96% | -6.29% | -13.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.14% | -4.82% | +0.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.26% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.02% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.02% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.21% | -0.37% | +0.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.20% | -0.78% | -1.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 1.11% | -0.15% |
Volatility
VTINX vs. IRTR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) is 2.18%, while iShares LifePath Retirement ETF (IRTR) has a volatility of 2.43%. This indicates that VTINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IRTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTINX | IRTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.18% | 2.43% | -0.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.40% | 5.27% | -0.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.18% | 6.32% | -1.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.12% | 7.11% | -0.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.76% | 7.11% | -1.35% |
VTINX vs. IRTR - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VTINX and IRTR have an expense ratio of 0.08%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VTINX vs. IRTR - Dividend Comparison
VTINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.81%, more than IRTR's 2.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IRTR iShares LifePath Retirement ETF | 2.99% | 3.03% | 3.03% | 0.85% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund | 4.81% | 5.02% | 5.89% | 4.01% | 3.08% | 8.63% | 3.42% | 2.62% | 4.19% | 1.56% | 2.27% | 3.53% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, VTINX and IRTR 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.
IRTR has higher volatility (2.43%) compared to VTINX (2.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTINX dropped -19.96% vs IRTR's -6.29%.
VTINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 2.18), 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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