PLBBX vs. TSAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLBBX (Plumb Balanced Fund) and TSAIX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, PLBBX returned 10.07%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for TSAIX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLBBX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for TSAIX.

Performance

PLBBX vs. TSAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX) 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, PLBBX achieves a 9.20% return, which is significantly lower than TSAIX's 10.64% return. Over the past 10 years, PLBBX has underperformed TSAIX with an annualized return of 10.07%, while TSAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.

PLBBX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 2.95%
• YTD: 9.20%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 19.32%
• 3Y*: 15.06%
• 5Y*: 6.84%
• 10Y*: 10.07%

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)

PLBBX vs. TSAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLBBX Plumb Balanced Fund	9.20%	10.54%	13.48%	25.13%	-22.24%	4.02%	21.66%	23.22%	-1.76%	23.23%
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 PLBBX and TSAIX is 0.87, 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	0.87
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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2011	0.91

The correlation between PLBBX and TSAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLBBX vs. TSAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLBBX

PLBBX Risk / Return Rank: 41
PLBBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
PLBBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
PLBBX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PLBBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
PLBBX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

PLBBX vs. TSAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX) 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.

	PLBBX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.11	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	2.93	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.38	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	2.65	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.92	11.60	-1.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLBBX vs. TSAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLBBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the TSAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLBBX 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

	PLBBX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	2.11	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.60	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.68	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.72	-0.28

Drawdowns

PLBBX vs. TSAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLBBX drawdown since its inception was -43.26%, which is greater than TSAIX's maximum drawdown of -34.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLBBX and TSAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLBBX	TSAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.26%	-34.58%	-8.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.04%	-10.28%	+3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.59%	-17.29%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.70%	-28.28%	-2.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.70%	-34.58%	+3.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	0.00%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.23%	-4.92%	-3.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	2.34%	-0.34%

Volatility

PLBBX vs. TSAIX - Volatility Comparison

Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX) has a higher volatility of 3.97% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX) at 3.72%. This indicates that PLBBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TSAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLBBX	TSAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	3.72%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.11%	10.26%	-1.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.70%	12.92%	-1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.95%	16.25%	-0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.31%	17.65%	-2.34%

PLBBX vs. TSAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLBBX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than TSAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLBBX vs. TSAIX - Dividend Comparison

PLBBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.60%, more than TSAIX's 6.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLBBX Plumb Balanced Fund	8.60%	9.39%	6.63%	0.94%	7.75%	8.15%	0.40%	2.47%	1.70%	0.64%	0.52%	0.71%
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 PLBBX and TSAIX in my portfolio?

PLBBX and TSAIX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLBBX or TSAIX?

PLBBX has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to TSAIX (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLBBX dropped -43.26% vs TSAIX's -34.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.70), 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.