DFREX vs. TILIX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) and TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX).

DFREX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Jan 5, 1993. TILIX is managed by TIAA Investments. It was launched on Oct 1, 2002.

Performance

DFREX vs. TILIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) and TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFREX vs. TILIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	1.79%	1.52%	5.52%	11.20%	-24.93%	41.88%	-5.03%	28.12%	-3.01%	4.25%
TILIX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund	-13.04%	18.41%	33.31%	42.64%	-29.22%	27.63%	38.43%	36.30%	-1.66%	28.49%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFREX achieves a 1.79% return, which is significantly higher than TILIX's -13.04% return. Over the past 10 years, DFREX has underperformed TILIX with an annualized return of 4.83%, while TILIX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.09% annualized return.

DFREX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: -7.68%
• YTD: 1.79%
• 6M: -0.53%
• 1Y: 0.96%
• 3Y*: 6.01%
• 5Y*: 3.57%
• 10Y*: 4.83%

TILIX

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -8.64%
• YTD: -13.04%
• 6M: -12.14%
• 1Y: 14.38%
• 3Y*: 19.64%
• 5Y*: 11.88%
• 10Y*: 16.09%

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

DFREX vs. TILIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFREX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than TILIX'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%.

DFREX

DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I

TILIX

TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund

Return for Risk

DFREX vs. TILIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFREX

DFREX Risk / Return Rank: 8
DFREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
DFREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
DFREX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
DFREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
DFREX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

TILIX

TILIX Risk / Return Rank: 27
TILIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
TILIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
TILIX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
TILIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
TILIX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

DFREX vs. TILIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) 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.

	DFREX	TILIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.12	0.65	-0.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.28	1.10	-0.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.15	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	0.67	-0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.54	2.32	-1.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFREX vs. TILIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFREX Sharpe Ratio is 0.12, which is lower than the TILIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFREX and TILIX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFREX	TILIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12	0.65	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.56	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.77	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.56	-0.20

Correlation

The correlation between DFREX and TILIX is 0.58, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

DFREX vs. TILIX - Dividend Comparison

DFREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, less than TILIX's 5.07% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	2.84%	2.84%	2.97%	3.59%	6.24%	2.56%	3.36%	2.23%	4.88%	1.89%	2.83%	2.86%
TILIX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund	5.07%	4.41%	3.25%	1.90%	11.00%	8.76%	1.91%	2.38%	4.01%	0.68%	1.33%	1.32%

Drawdowns

DFREX vs. TILIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFREX drawdown since its inception was -74.36%, which is greater than TILIX's maximum drawdown of -50.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFREX and TILIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFREX	TILIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.36%	-50.54%	-23.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.22%	-16.24%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.11%	-32.68%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.49%	-32.68%	-8.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.98%	-16.24%	+7.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.39%	-7.77%	-3.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	4.73%	-1.62%

Volatility

DFREX vs. TILIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) is 4.12%, while TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX) has a volatility of 5.34%. This indicates that DFREX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TILIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFREX	TILIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	5.34%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.12%	11.80%	-2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.10%	22.35%	-6.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.68%	21.44%	-2.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.30%	21.01%	-0.71%