QCGRIX vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QCGRIX (CREF Growth Account Class R3) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both funds - QCGRIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by TIAA-CREF, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. QCGRIX is actively managed, while VYM is passively managed. Over the past year, QCGRIX returned 28.01% vs 27.70% for VYM. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QCGRIX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

QCGRIX vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCGRIX achieves a 10.02% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.96% return.

QCGRIX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 10.02%
• 6M: 9.03%
• 1Y: 28.01%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VYM

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: 2.98%
• YTD: 12.96%
• 6M: 13.69%
• 1Y: 27.70%
• 3Y*: 19.05%
• 5Y*: 11.67%
• 10Y*: 11.94%

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

QCGRIX vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCGRIX CREF Growth Account Class R3	10.02%	14.41%	0.00%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.96%	15.42%	-0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between QCGRIX and VYM is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2024	0.49

Return for Risk

QCGRIX vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCGRIX

QCGRIX Risk / Return Rank: 29
QCGRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
QCGRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
QCGRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
QCGRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
QCGRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 82
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

QCGRIX vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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.

	QCGRIX	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	2.71	-0.94
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	3.84	-1.46
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.49	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	4.20	-2.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.88	15.80	-9.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCGRIX vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCGRIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCGRIX and VYM, 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

	QCGRIX	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	2.71	-0.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.51	+0.35

Drawdowns

QCGRIX vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCGRIX drawdown since its inception was -23.93%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCGRIX and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCGRIX	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.93%	-56.98%	+33.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.69%	-6.69%	-10.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.84%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-7.20%	+2.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.02%	1.78%	+3.24%

Volatility

QCGRIX vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) has a higher volatility of 3.53% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.88%. This indicates that QCGRIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCGRIX	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.53%	2.88%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	7.73%	+4.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.66%	10.27%	+6.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.86%	13.96%	+6.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.86%	16.34%	+4.52%

QCGRIX vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCGRIX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM'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

QCGRIX vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

QCGRIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCGRIX CREF Growth Account Class R3	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.18%	2.44%	2.74%	3.12%	3.01%	2.76%	3.18%	3.03%	3.40%	2.80%	2.91%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCGRIX and VYM in my portfolio?

QCGRIX and VYM have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QCGRIX or VYM?

QCGRIX has higher volatility (3.53%) compared to VYM (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCGRIX dropped -23.93% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 1.77), 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.