VTTHX vs. VWELX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VTTHX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VTTHX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTTHX returned 9.81%/yr vs 10.19%/yr for VWELX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTTHX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

VTTHX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTTHX achieves a 8.77% return, which is significantly higher than VWELX's 6.53% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTTHX having a 9.81% annualized return and VWELX not far ahead at 10.19%.

VTTHX

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 8.77%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 21.33%
• 3Y*: 14.91%
• 5Y*: 8.01%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

VWELX

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 6.53%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 19.81%
• 3Y*: 14.88%
• 5Y*: 8.94%
• 10Y*: 10.19%

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

VTTHX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTTHX Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund	8.77%	17.55%	11.56%	17.37%	-16.64%	12.96%	14.80%	22.44%	-6.57%	16.81%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	6.53%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VTTHX and VWELX is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2003	0.95

The correlation between VTTHX and VWELX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTTHX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTTHX

VTTHX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VTTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). 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.

	VTTHX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.21	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	3.08	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.41	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	2.91	+0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.67	13.12	-0.44

VTTHX vs. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTTHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTTHX and VWELX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VTTHX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTTHX drawdown since its inception was -51.76%, which is greater than VWELX's maximum drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTTHX and VWELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTTHX	VWELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.76%	-36.12%	-15.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.17%	-6.78%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.87%	-11.98%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.53%	-20.88%	-2.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.15%	-25.33%	-1.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-0.55%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.08%	-3.92%	-2.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.66%	1.50%	+0.16%

Volatility

VTTHX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX) has a higher volatility of 3.84% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) at 3.63%. This indicates that VTTHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTTHX	VWELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	3.63%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.90%	7.34%	+0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.44%	8.94%	+0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.46%	11.22%	+0.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.49%	11.57%	+0.92%

VTTHX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTTHX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VWELX's 0.24% 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

VTTHX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

VTTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.72%, less than VWELX's 10.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	10.86%	11.46%	10.76%	6.01%	8.19%	8.64%	7.77%	4.67%	9.49%	5.82%	4.44%	7.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTTHX and VWELX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VTTHX and VWELX 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 VWELX?

VTTHX has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to VWELX (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTTHX dropped -51.76% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.21), 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.