IPFCX vs. TSAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IPFCX (Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund) and TSAIX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, IPFCX returned 9.54%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for TSAIX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IPFCX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for TSAIX.

Performance

IPFCX vs. TSAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund (IPFCX) and TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IPFCX achieves a 11.25% return, which is significantly higher than TSAIX's 10.64% return. Over the past 10 years, IPFCX has underperformed TSAIX with an annualized return of 9.54%, while TSAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.

IPFCX

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 5.42%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.83%
• 1Y: 24.79%
• 3Y*: 14.58%
• 5Y*: 8.20%
• 10Y*: 9.54%

TSAIX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 4.96%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 6M: 11.38%
• 1Y: 26.69%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: 9.70%
• 10Y*: 12.03%

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

IPFCX vs. TSAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IPFCX Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund	11.25%	16.22%	6.67%	6.64%	-1.31%	30.14%	4.29%	20.56%	-10.49%	6.01%
TSAIX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund	10.64%	20.04%	15.46%	22.72%	-19.57%	17.10%	19.69%	27.97%	-11.27%	22.35%

Correlation

The correlation between IPFCX and TSAIX is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.79

The correlation between IPFCX and TSAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.79 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IPFCX vs. TSAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IPFCX

IPFCX Risk / Return Rank: 90
IPFCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
IPFCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
IPFCX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
IPFCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
IPFCX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

TSAIX

TSAIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
TSAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
TSAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
TSAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
TSAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
TSAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

IPFCX vs. TSAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund (IPFCX) and TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX). 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.

	IPFCX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.20	2.11	+1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.83	2.93	+1.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.38	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.54	2.65	+1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.28	11.60	+5.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IPFCX vs. TSAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IPFCX Sharpe Ratio is 3.20, which is higher than the TSAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IPFCX and TSAIX, 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

	IPFCX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20	2.11	+1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.60	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.68	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.72	-0.07

Drawdowns

IPFCX vs. TSAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IPFCX drawdown since its inception was -32.10%, smaller than the maximum TSAIX drawdown of -34.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IPFCX and TSAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IPFCX	TSAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.10%	-34.58%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.67%	-10.28%	+4.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.33%	-17.29%	+7.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.33%	-28.28%	+13.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.10%	-34.58%	+2.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.07%	-4.92%	+0.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	2.34%	-0.85%

Volatility

IPFCX vs. TSAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund (IPFCX) is 2.77%, while TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that IPFCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TSAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IPFCX	TSAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.77%	3.72%	-0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.11%	10.26%	-4.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.05%	12.92%	-4.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.22%	16.25%	-5.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.59%	17.65%	-4.06%

IPFCX vs. TSAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IPFCX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than TSAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

IPFCX vs. TSAIX - Dividend Comparison

IPFCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.46%, more than TSAIX's 6.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IPFCX Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund	8.46%	9.41%	7.31%	4.20%	8.55%	12.98%	1.94%	7.73%	5.24%	2.35%	3.78%	4.78%
TSAIX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund	6.67%	7.38%	2.94%	1.81%	9.27%	11.82%	5.59%	5.71%	5.71%	1.13%	4.12%	7.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IPFCX and TSAIX in my portfolio?

IPFCX and TSAIX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IPFCX or TSAIX?

TSAIX has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to IPFCX (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IPFCX dropped -32.10% vs TSAIX's -34.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IPFCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 2.11), 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.