MSCGX vs. TISBX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (MSCGX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX).

MSCGX is managed by Mercer Funds. It was launched on Aug 15, 2005. TISBX is managed by TIAA Investments. It was launched on Oct 1, 2002.

Performance

MSCGX vs. TISBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (MSCGX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MSCGX vs. TISBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MSCGX Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund	1.44%	6.52%	13.39%	15.35%	-16.91%	24.32%	12.40%	5.34%
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	0.89%	12.72%	11.60%	17.07%	-20.31%	14.85%	20.14%	6.51%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSCGX achieves a 1.44% return, which is significantly higher than TISBX's 0.89% return.

MSCGX

• 1D: 3.02%
• 1M: -5.62%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 6M: 3.09%
• 1Y: 15.25%
• 3Y*: 10.92%
• 5Y*: 5.22%
• 10Y*: —

TISBX

• 1D: 3.45%
• 1M: -5.85%
• YTD: 0.89%
• 6M: 2.81%
• 1Y: 25.58%
• 3Y*: 13.07%
• 5Y*: 3.52%
• 10Y*: 9.78%

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

MSCGX vs. TISBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSCGX has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than TISBX's 0.05% expense ratio.

MSCGX

Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund

TISBX

TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund

Return for Risk

MSCGX vs. TISBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSCGX

MSCGX Risk / Return Rank: 22
MSCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
MSCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
MSCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
MSCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
MSCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

TISBX

TISBX Risk / Return Rank: 59
TISBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
TISBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
TISBX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
TISBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
TISBX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

MSCGX vs. TISBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (MSCGX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). 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.

	MSCGX	TISBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	1.11	-0.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	1.65	-0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.21	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.22	1.61	-1.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.75	6.05	-5.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSCGX vs. TISBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSCGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is comparable to the TISBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSCGX and TISBX, 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

	MSCGX	TISBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	1.11	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.16	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.36	-0.02

Correlation

The correlation between MSCGX and TISBX is 0.89, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

MSCGX vs. TISBX - Dividend Comparison

MSCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.60%, more than TISBX's 4.09% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSCGX Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund	7.60%	7.71%	10.73%	3.77%	8.42%	20.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	4.09%	4.12%	6.82%	3.09%	1.97%	8.96%	2.65%	5.16%	9.29%	4.49%	4.03%	4.77%

Drawdowns

MSCGX vs. TISBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSCGX drawdown since its inception was -41.30%, smaller than the maximum TISBX drawdown of -56.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSCGX and TISBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSCGX	TISBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.30%	-56.50%	+15.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.87%	-13.90%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.66%	-31.89%	-3.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.48%	-7.88%	+1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.03%	-9.74%	-3.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.27%	3.70%	+2.57%

Volatility

MSCGX vs. TISBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (MSCGX) is 6.42%, while TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) has a volatility of 7.49%. This indicates that MSCGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSCGX	TISBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.42%	7.49%	-1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.97%	14.50%	-2.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.31%	23.37%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.80%	22.58%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.70%	23.39%	+2.31%