VTTHX vs. AAFTX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VTTHX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund) and AAFTX (American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, VTTHX returned 9.72%/yr vs 10.36%/yr for AAFTX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTTHX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AAFTX.

Performance

VTTHX vs. AAFTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX) and American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTTHX achieves a 8.47% return, which is significantly higher than AAFTX's 6.62% return. Over the past 10 years, VTTHX has underperformed AAFTX with an annualized return of 9.72%, while AAFTX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.36% annualized return.

VTTHX

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 8.47%
• 6M: 9.05%
• 1Y: 20.81%
• 3Y*: 15.64%
• 5Y*: 7.69%
• 10Y*: 9.72%

AAFTX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 2.16%
• YTD: 6.62%
• 6M: 7.08%
• 1Y: 17.54%
• 3Y*: 15.07%
• 5Y*: 7.56%
• 10Y*: 10.36%

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

VTTHX vs. AAFTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTTHX Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund	8.47%	17.55%	11.56%	17.37%	-16.64%	12.96%	14.80%	22.44%	-6.57%	16.81%
AAFTX American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund	6.62%	16.77%	12.40%	16.50%	-16.53%	15.20%	17.23%	22.81%	-5.48%	20.68%

Correlation

The correlation between VTTHX and AAFTX is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2007	0.98

The correlation between VTTHX and AAFTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTTHX vs. AAFTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTTHX

VTTHX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VTTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VTTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VTTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VTTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

AAFTX

AAFTX Risk / Return Rank: 52
AAFTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
AAFTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
AAFTX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
AAFTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
AAFTX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

VTTHX vs. AAFTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX) and American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX). 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.

	VTTHX	AAFTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	2.13	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.05	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.40	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	2.58	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.04	11.53	+1.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTTHX vs. AAFTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTTHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the AAFTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTTHX and AAFTX, 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

	VTTHX	AAFTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	2.13	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.66	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.82	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.53	+0.01

Drawdowns

VTTHX vs. AAFTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTTHX drawdown since its inception was -51.76%, roughly equal to the maximum AAFTX drawdown of -49.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTTHX and AAFTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTTHX	AAFTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.76%	-49.89%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.17%	-6.99%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.87%	-10.58%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.53%	-23.31%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.15%	-26.72%	-0.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-0.45%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.09%	-6.80%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	1.56%	+0.07%

Volatility

VTTHX vs. AAFTX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX) has a higher volatility of 2.86% compared to American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AAFTX) at 2.58%. This indicates that VTTHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAFTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTTHX	AAFTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	2.58%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.19%	6.74%	+0.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.91%	8.48%	+0.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.38%	11.44%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.46%	12.71%	-0.25%

VTTHX vs. AAFTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTTHX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than AAFTX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTTHX vs. AAFTX - Dividend Comparison

VTTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.72%, less than AAFTX's 5.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAFTX American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.62%	5.99%	4.26%	2.61%	5.43%	5.25%	3.53%	4.21%	4.80%	2.38%	3.52%	5.63%
VTTHX Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund	2.72%	2.96%	3.12%	2.47%	2.71%	19.52%	2.50%	2.33%	2.69%	0.16%	2.77%	4.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTTHX and AAFTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, VTTHX and AAFTX 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, VTTHX or AAFTX?

VTTHX has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to AAFTX (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTTHX dropped -51.76% vs AAFTX's -49.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.13), 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.