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VTTVX vs. VWELX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VTTVX vs. VWELX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTTVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTTVX returned 7.99%/yr vs 10.20%/yr for VWELX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTTVX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VTTVX having a 6.82% return and VWELX slightly higher at 7.11%. Over the past 10 years, VTTVX has underperformed VWELX with an annualized return of 7.99%, while VWELX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.20% annualized return.

VTTVX

1D
0.19%
1M
3.00%
YTD
6.82%
6M
7.29%
1Y
16.99%
3Y*
12.88%
5Y*
6.14%
10Y*
7.99%

VWELX

1D
0.06%
1M
3.86%
YTD
7.11%
6M
7.36%
1Y
21.02%
3Y*
15.61%
5Y*
8.97%
10Y*
10.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VTTVX
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund		6.82%14.63%9.23%14.76%-15.57%9.78%13.31%19.63%-5.14%13.68%
VWELX
Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares		7.11%16.54%14.73%14.29%-14.36%18.99%10.57%22.51%-3.43%13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VTTVX and VWELX is 0.93, 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

0.93

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.93

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 28, 2003

0.95

The correlation between VTTVX and VWELX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VTTVX
VWELX

Technology

27.4%
31.8%

Financial Services

16.1%
10.6%

Industrials

12.3%
8.5%

Consumer Cyclical

9.4%
10.9%

Healthcare

8.3%
9.8%

Communication Services

8.0%
12.3%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
4.4%

Energy

4.3%
4.4%

Basic Materials

4.2%
2.1%

Utilities

2.7%
2.5%

Real Estate

2.5%
2.6%

Technology

VTTVX
27.4%
VWELX
31.8%

Financial Services

VTTVX
16.1%
VWELX
10.6%

Industrials

VTTVX
12.3%
VWELX
8.5%

Consumer Cyclical

VTTVX
9.4%
VWELX
10.9%

Healthcare

VTTVX
8.3%
VWELX
9.8%

Communication Services

VTTVX
8.0%
VWELX
12.3%

Consumer Defensive

VTTVX
4.8%
VWELX
4.4%

Energy

VTTVX
4.3%
VWELX
4.4%

Basic Materials

VTTVX
4.2%
VWELX
2.1%

Utilities

VTTVX
2.7%
VWELX
2.5%

Real Estate

VTTVX
2.5%
VWELX
2.6%

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Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund

Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares

Often compared with VTTVX:
VTTVX vs. VTSAXVTTVX vs. TRRHXVTTVX vs. FFTWXVTTVX vs. VOOVTTVX vs. VFIAXVTTVX vs. VTWNXVTTVX vs. SCHD
Often compared with VWELX:
VWELX vs. VWINXVWELX vs. VWENXVWELX vs. VBIAXVWELX vs. FBALXVWELX vs. VOOVWELX vs. PRWCXVWELX vs. VGWLX

Return for Risk

VTTVX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VTTVX
VTTVX Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
VTTVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTTVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTTVX Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
VTTVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTTVX Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
VWELX
VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7878
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 7878
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) 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.

VTTVXVWELXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.52
2.56

-0.05

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.62
3.60

+0.01

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.48

1.48

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.09

3.17

-0.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.50

14.69

-1.20

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTTVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTTVX 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VTTVXVWELXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.52

2.56

-0.05

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.68

0.81

-0.13

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.81

0.89

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.57

0.84

-0.28

Drawdowns

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTTVX drawdown since its inception was -46.03%, which is greater than VWELX's maximum drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTTVX and VWELX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTTVXVWELXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.03%

-36.12%

-9.91%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.57%

-6.78%

+1.21%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-7.84%

-11.98%

+4.14%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.52%

-20.88%

-0.64%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-22.51%

-25.33%

+2.82%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.05%

-3.92%

-1.13%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.27%

1.46%

-0.19%

Volatility

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) is 2.24%, while Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) has a volatility of 2.52%. This indicates that VTTVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VTTVXVWELXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.24%

2.52%

-0.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.53%

6.67%

-1.14%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

6.83%

8.38%

-1.55%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

9.09%

11.13%

-2.04%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

9.94%

11.53%

-1.59%

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTTVX 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

VTTVX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

VTTVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.91%, less than VWELX's 10.76% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VTTVX
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund		6.91%7.38%7.63%3.96%2.96%16.28%4.35%2.57%3.14%0.47%2.68%4.98%
VWELX
Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares		10.76%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

With a correlation of 0.93, VTTVX 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.

VWELX has higher volatility (2.52%) compared to VTTVX (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTTVX dropped -46.03% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

VWELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.52), 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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