LTIUX vs. TCLEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LTIUX (Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund) and TCLEX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, LTIUX returned 9.59%/yr vs 5.90%/yr for TCLEX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. LTIUX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for TCLEX.

Performance

LTIUX vs. TCLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTIUX achieves a 6.70% return, which is significantly higher than TCLEX's 4.31% return. Over the past 10 years, LTIUX has outperformed TCLEX with an annualized return of 9.59%, while TCLEX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.90% annualized return.

LTIUX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 3.36%
• YTD: 6.70%
• 6M: 6.91%
• 1Y: 17.03%
• 3Y*: 14.87%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 9.59%

TCLEX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.89%
• YTD: 4.31%
• 6M: 4.61%
• 1Y: 12.40%
• 3Y*: 9.64%
• 5Y*: 4.32%
• 10Y*: 5.90%

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

LTIUX vs. TCLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LTIUX Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund	6.70%	14.26%	14.13%	16.51%	-17.48%	14.07%	15.70%	23.48%	-7.37%	19.69%
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund	4.31%	11.22%	7.31%	10.64%	-12.64%	6.62%	10.95%	15.14%	-4.14%	9.99%

Correlation

The correlation between LTIUX and TCLEX is 0.95, 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	0.95
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 Mar 4, 2008	0.95

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

Return for Risk

LTIUX vs. TCLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LTIUX

LTIUX Risk / Return Rank: 50
LTIUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
LTIUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
LTIUX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
LTIUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LTIUX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

TCLEX

TCLEX Risk / Return Rank: 70
TCLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
TCLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
TCLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
TCLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
TCLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

LTIUX vs. TCLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX). 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.

	LTIUX	TCLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	2.49	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	3.68	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.49	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	2.94	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.84	13.07	-1.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LTIUX vs. TCLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTIUX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the TCLEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTIUX and TCLEX, 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

	LTIUX	TCLEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	2.49	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.63	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.85	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.61	-0.13

Drawdowns

LTIUX vs. TCLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTIUX drawdown since its inception was -49.65%, which is greater than TCLEX's maximum drawdown of -35.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTIUX and TCLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTIUX	TCLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.65%	-35.33%	-14.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-4.28%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.08%	-8.25%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.23%	-17.31%	-6.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.12%	-17.31%	-10.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.71%	-3.99%	-2.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	0.96%	+0.51%

Volatility

LTIUX vs. TCLEX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX) has a higher volatility of 2.62% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX) at 1.68%. This indicates that LTIUX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TCLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTIUX	TCLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.62%	1.68%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.96%	4.10%	+2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.62%	5.06%	+3.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.83%	6.90%	+4.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.49%	7.00%	+5.49%

LTIUX vs. TCLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTIUX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than TCLEX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTIUX vs. TCLEX - Dividend Comparison

LTIUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.46%, more than TCLEX's 5.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTIUX Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund	8.46%	9.03%	9.46%	4.17%	7.50%	7.06%	5.35%	7.28%	7.75%	5.46%	4.28%	5.59%
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund	5.11%	5.33%	4.44%	2.95%	5.91%	8.53%	6.93%	3.95%	5.60%	1.72%	3.45%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTIUX and TCLEX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, LTIUX and TCLEX 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, LTIUX or TCLEX?

LTIUX has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to TCLEX (1.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTIUX dropped -49.65% vs TCLEX's -35.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TCLEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.03), 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.