VTINX vs. VIGAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTINX (Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund) and VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VTINX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while VIGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTINX returned 5.33%/yr vs 18.39%/yr for VIGAX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTINX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VIGAX.

Performance

VTINX vs. VIGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). 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 lower than VIGAX's 10.82% return. Over the past 10 years, VTINX has underperformed VIGAX with an annualized return of 5.33%, while VIGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.39% 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%

VIGAX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 7.54%
• YTD: 10.82%
• 6M: 10.11%
• 1Y: 29.44%
• 3Y*: 26.45%
• 5Y*: 15.71%
• 10Y*: 18.39%

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

VTINX vs. VIGAX - 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%
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.82%	19.43%	32.67%	46.76%	-33.14%	27.26%	40.18%	37.23%	-3.35%	27.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VTINX and VIGAX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2003	0.77

The correlation between VTINX and VIGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTINX vs. VIGAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTINX	VIGAX
Technology	27.4%	53.5%
Financial Services	16.1%	4.3%
Industrials	12.3%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.3%	4.6%
Communication Services	8.0%	17.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	1.5%
Energy	4.3%	0.4%
Basic Materials	4.3%	0.6%
Utilities	2.7%	0.9%
Real Estate	2.5%	1.0%

Return for Risk

VTINX vs. VIGAX — 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

VIGAX

VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 34
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
VIGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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. VIGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). 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	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	1.92	+0.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	2.59	+1.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.33	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	1.84	+1.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.09	6.49	+6.60
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. VIGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the VIGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTINX and VIGAX, 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	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	1.92	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.71	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93	0.86	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	0.48	+0.45

Drawdowns

VTINX vs. VIGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTINX drawdown since its inception was -19.96%, smaller than the maximum VIGAX drawdown of -50.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTINX and VIGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTINX	VIGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-50.66%	+30.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.14%	-16.51%	+12.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.26%	-23.04%	+17.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.02%	-35.63%	+18.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.02%	-35.63%	+18.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.20%	-11.96%	+9.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	4.68%	-3.74%

Volatility

VTINX vs. VIGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) is 1.77%, while Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) has a volatility of 3.62%. This indicates that VTINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTINX	VIGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.77%	3.62%	-1.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.02%	12.10%	-8.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.88%	15.88%	-11.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.07%	22.35%	-16.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.73%	21.59%	-15.86%

VTINX vs. VIGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTINX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VIGAX's 0.05% 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

VTINX vs. VIGAX - Dividend Comparison

VTINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, more than VIGAX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.36%	0.40%	0.46%	0.57%	0.69%	0.47%	0.66%	0.94%	1.31%	1.14%	1.39%	1.31%
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 VIGAX in my portfolio?

VTINX and VIGAX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTINX or VIGAX?

VIGAX has higher volatility (3.62%) compared to VTINX (1.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTINX dropped -19.96% vs VIGAX's -50.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.92), 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.