MGDIX vs. TSAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MGDIX (MainStay Growth Allocation Fund) and TSAIX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, MGDIX returned 8.66%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for TSAIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. MGDIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for TSAIX.

Performance

MGDIX vs. TSAIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MGDIX having a 10.42% return and TSAIX slightly higher at 10.64%. Over the past 10 years, MGDIX has underperformed TSAIX with an annualized return of 8.66%, while TSAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.

MGDIX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 4.38%
• YTD: 10.42%
• 6M: 10.82%
• 1Y: 21.89%
• 3Y*: 14.09%
• 5Y*: 7.29%
• 10Y*: 8.66%

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)

MGDIX vs. TSAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MGDIX MainStay Growth Allocation Fund	10.42%	12.70%	9.98%	14.52%	-14.25%	16.64%	13.78%	21.36%	-11.50%	15.15%
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 MGDIX and TSAIX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2011	0.97

The correlation between MGDIX and TSAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MGDIX vs. TSAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MGDIX

MGDIX Risk / Return Rank: 58
MGDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
MGDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
MGDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
MGDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
MGDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

MGDIX vs. TSAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	MGDIX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	2.11	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	2.93	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.38	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	2.65	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.68	11.60	+1.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MGDIX vs. TSAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MGDIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the TSAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MGDIX 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

	MGDIX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	2.11	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.60	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.68	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.72	-0.23

Drawdowns

MGDIX vs. TSAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MGDIX drawdown since its inception was -46.05%, which is greater than TSAIX's maximum drawdown of -34.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MGDIX and TSAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MGDIX	TSAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.05%	-34.58%	-11.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.84%	-10.28%	+2.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.67%	-17.29%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.24%	-28.28%	+6.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.13%	-34.58%	+4.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.23%	-4.92%	-1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.77%	2.34%	-0.57%

Volatility

MGDIX vs. TSAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MainStay Growth Allocation Fund (MGDIX) is 2.81%, while TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that MGDIX 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

	MGDIX	TSAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.81%	3.72%	-0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.85%	10.26%	-2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.01%	12.92%	-2.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.21%	16.25%	-3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.11%	17.65%	-3.54%

MGDIX vs. TSAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MGDIX 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

MGDIX vs. TSAIX - Dividend Comparison

MGDIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, less than TSAIX's 6.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MGDIX MainStay Growth Allocation Fund	4.63%	5.11%	8.27%	0.14%	7.62%	11.17%	5.44%	4.58%	11.08%	2.83%	2.25%	5.77%
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 MGDIX and TSAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, MGDIX 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, MGDIX or TSAIX?

TSAIX has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to MGDIX (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MGDIX dropped -46.05% vs TSAIX's -34.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MGDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 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.