DAFGX vs. TILIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DAFGX (Dunham Focused Large Cap Growth Fund) and TILIX (TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, DAFGX returned 13.28%/yr vs 18.68%/yr for TILIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DAFGX charges 1.37%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TILIX.

Performance

DAFGX vs. TILIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dunham Focused Large Cap Growth Fund (DAFGX) and TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAFGX achieves a 5.29% return, which is significantly lower than TILIX's 8.99% return. Over the past 10 years, DAFGX has underperformed TILIX with an annualized return of 13.28%, while TILIX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.68% annualized return.

DAFGX

• 1D: 1.38%
• 1M: 11.40%
• YTD: 5.29%
• 6M: 3.01%
• 1Y: 5.53%
• 3Y*: 11.09%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 13.28%

TILIX

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 7.25%
• YTD: 8.99%
• 6M: 8.17%
• 1Y: 28.63%
• 3Y*: 25.65%
• 5Y*: 15.89%
• 10Y*: 18.68%

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

DAFGX vs. TILIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DAFGX Dunham Focused Large Cap Growth Fund	5.29%	1.72%	11.42%	54.81%	-38.96%	13.01%	49.42%	35.17%	9.80%	26.10%
TILIX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund	8.99%	18.41%	33.31%	42.64%	-29.22%	27.63%	38.43%	36.30%	-1.66%	28.49%

Correlation

The correlation between DAFGX and TILIX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2011	0.92

The correlation between DAFGX and TILIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DAFGX vs. TILIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAFGX

DAFGX Risk / Return Rank: 4
DAFGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
DAFGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
DAFGX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
DAFGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
DAFGX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

TILIX

TILIX Risk / Return Rank: 33
TILIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
TILIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
TILIX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
TILIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
TILIX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

DAFGX vs. TILIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dunham Focused Large Cap Growth Fund (DAFGX) and TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX). 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.

	DAFGX	TILIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.33	1.92	-1.59
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.58	2.59	-2.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.33	-0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.23	1.83	-1.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.55	6.15	-5.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DAFGX vs. TILIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAFGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.33, which is lower than the TILIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAFGX and TILIX, 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

	DAFGX	TILIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33	1.92	-1.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.74	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.89	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.61	-0.07

Drawdowns

DAFGX vs. TILIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAFGX drawdown since its inception was -47.69%, smaller than the maximum TILIX drawdown of -50.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAFGX and TILIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAFGX	TILIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.69%	-50.54%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.70%	-16.24%	-11.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.81%	-23.33%	-11.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.69%	-32.68%	-15.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.69%	-32.68%	-15.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.27%	0.00%	-11.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.55%	-7.74%	-1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.89%	4.84%	+7.05%

Volatility

DAFGX vs. TILIX - Volatility Comparison

Dunham Focused Large Cap Growth Fund (DAFGX) has a higher volatility of 4.57% compared to TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX) at 3.25%. This indicates that DAFGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TILIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAFGX	TILIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	3.25%	+1.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.66%	11.62%	+3.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.98%	15.45%	+3.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.16%	21.47%	+4.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.39%	21.09%	+4.30%

DAFGX vs. TILIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAFGX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is higher than TILIX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

DAFGX vs. TILIX - Dividend Comparison

DAFGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.68%, more than TILIX's 4.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DAFGX Dunham Focused Large Cap Growth Fund	15.68%	16.51%	0.00%	2.40%	0.00%	8.61%	2.31%	3.33%	8.90%	0.95%	0.00%	0.58%
TILIX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund	4.05%	4.41%	3.25%	1.90%	11.00%	8.76%	1.91%	2.38%	4.01%	0.68%	1.33%	1.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAFGX and TILIX in my portfolio?

DAFGX and TILIX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAFGX or TILIX?

DAFGX has higher volatility (4.57%) compared to TILIX (3.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAFGX dropped -47.69% vs TILIX's -50.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TILIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 0.33), 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.