MCKIX vs. TSAIX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

MCKIX (MainStay Conservative Allocation Fund) and TSAIX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, MCKIX returned 5.67%/yr vs 11.91%/yr for TSAIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MCKIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for TSAIX.

Performance

MCKIX vs. TSAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MainStay Conservative Allocation Fund (MCKIX) 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, MCKIX achieves a 6.15% return, which is significantly lower than TSAIX's 10.10% return. Over the past 10 years, MCKIX has underperformed TSAIX with an annualized return of 5.67%, while TSAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.91% annualized return.

MCKIX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: 6.15%
• 6M: 6.39%
• 1Y: 13.82%
• 3Y*: 10.17%
• 5Y*: 4.47%
• 10Y*: 5.67%

TSAIX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: 10.10%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 25.82%
• 3Y*: 19.28%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 11.91%

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

MCKIX vs. TSAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MCKIX MainStay Conservative Allocation Fund	6.15%	9.60%	7.16%	11.15%	-12.54%	7.88%	11.03%	14.85%	-6.82%	9.09%
TSAIX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund	10.10%	20.04%	15.46%	22.72%	-19.57%	17.10%	19.69%	27.97%	-11.27%	22.35%

Correlation

The correlation between MCKIX and TSAIX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2011	0.92

The correlation between MCKIX and TSAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MCKIX vs. TSAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MCKIX

MCKIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
MCKIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
MCKIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
MCKIX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
MCKIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
MCKIX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

TSAIX

TSAIX Risk / Return Rank: 50
TSAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
TSAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
TSAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
TSAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
TSAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

MCKIX vs. TSAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MainStay Conservative Allocation Fund (MCKIX) 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.

	MCKIX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.01	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.31	2.80	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.36	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	2.53	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.34	11.07	+1.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MCKIX vs. TSAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCKIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the TSAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCKIX 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

	MCKIX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.01	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.58	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.68	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.72	0.00

Drawdowns

MCKIX vs. TSAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCKIX drawdown since its inception was -25.69%, smaller than the maximum TSAIX drawdown of -34.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCKIX and TSAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCKIX	TSAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.69%	-34.58%	+8.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.03%	-10.28%	+5.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.95%	-17.29%	+8.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.17%	-28.28%	+10.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.18%	-34.58%	+15.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.49%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.13%	-4.91%	+1.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.12%	2.34%	-1.22%

Volatility

MCKIX vs. TSAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MainStay Conservative Allocation Fund (MCKIX) is 2.05%, while TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX) has a volatility of 3.71%. This indicates that MCKIX 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

	MCKIX	TSAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.05%	3.71%	-1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.91%	10.27%	-5.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.08%	12.93%	-6.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.79%	16.24%	-8.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.81%	17.65%	-9.84%

MCKIX vs. TSAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCKIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than TSAIX's 0.04% 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%.

Dividends

MCKIX vs. TSAIX - Dividend Comparison

MCKIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, less than TSAIX's 6.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MCKIX MainStay Conservative Allocation Fund	4.49%	4.49%	4.71%	2.73%	3.85%	7.78%	5.21%	2.73%	6.12%	3.35%	1.66%	4.25%
TSAIX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund	6.70%	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 MCKIX and TSAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, MCKIX and TSAIX 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, MCKIX or TSAIX?

TSAIX has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to MCKIX (2.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCKIX dropped -25.69% vs TSAIX's -34.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MCKIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.01), 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.