VTINX vs. VASIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTINX (Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund) and VASIX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTINX returned 5.33%/yr vs 4.08%/yr for VASIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTINX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for VASIX.

Performance

VTINX vs. VASIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund (VASIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTINX achieves a 4.69% return, which is significantly higher than VASIX's 3.14% return. Over the past 10 years, VTINX has outperformed VASIX with an annualized return of 5.33%, while VASIX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.08% annualized return.

VTINX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 2.12%
• YTD: 4.69%
• 6M: 4.90%
• 1Y: 12.16%
• 3Y*: 9.49%
• 5Y*: 4.28%
• 10Y*: 5.33%

VASIX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 3.14%
• 6M: 3.21%
• 1Y: 9.53%
• 3Y*: 8.20%
• 5Y*: 2.94%
• 10Y*: 4.08%

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

VTINX vs. VASIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	4.69%	11.31%	6.66%	10.66%	-12.75%	5.24%	10.02%	13.16%	-1.98%	7.46%
VASIX Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund	3.14%	9.42%	6.67%	9.63%	-13.94%	1.92%	9.13%	12.05%	-1.05%	6.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VTINX and VASIX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2003	0.92

The correlation between VTINX and VASIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTINX vs. VASIX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTINX	VASIX
Technology	27.4%	27.3%
Financial Services	16.1%	16.1%
Industrials	12.3%	12.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	9.4%
Healthcare	8.3%	8.3%
Communication Services	8.0%	8.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.8%
Energy	4.3%	4.3%
Basic Materials	4.3%	4.3%
Utilities	2.7%	2.7%
Real Estate	2.5%	2.5%

Return for Risk

VTINX vs. VASIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTINX

VTINX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VTINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VTINX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VTINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VTINX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

VASIX

VASIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VASIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VASIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VASIX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VASIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VASIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

VTINX vs. VASIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund (VASIX). 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.

	VTINX	VASIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	2.18	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	3.17	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.43	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	2.47	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.09	10.32	+2.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTINX vs. VASIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the VASIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTINX and VASIX, 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

	VTINX	VASIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	2.18	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.51	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93	0.83	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	1.12	-0.19

Drawdowns

VTINX vs. VASIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTINX drawdown since its inception was -19.96%, which is greater than VASIX's maximum drawdown of -18.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTINX and VASIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTINX	VASIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-18.17%	-1.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.14%	-3.90%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.26%	-5.58%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.02%	-18.17%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.02%	-18.17%	+1.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.20%	-1.92%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.93%	+0.01%

Volatility

VTINX vs. VASIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund (VASIX) have volatilities of 1.77% and 1.71%, 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

	VTINX	VASIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.77%	1.71%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.02%	3.65%	+0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.88%	4.42%	+0.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.07%	5.75%	+0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.73%	4.92%	+0.81%

VTINX vs. VASIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTINX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VASIX's 0.11% 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

VTINX vs. VASIX - Dividend Comparison

VTINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, more than VASIX's 4.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VASIX Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund	4.11%	4.18%	7.61%	3.17%	2.02%	3.95%	2.15%	2.73%	3.55%	1.52%	2.26%	2.57%
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	4.80%	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

Can I hold both VTINX and VASIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VTINX and VASIX 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, VTINX or VASIX?

VTINX has higher volatility (1.77%) compared to VASIX (1.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTINX dropped -19.96% vs VASIX's -18.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 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.