QCSTIX vs. VTSAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

QCSTIX (CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - QCSTIX is a Global Equities fund actively managed by TIAA-CREF, while VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past year, QCSTIX returned 29.78% vs 27.56% for VTSAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

QCSTIX vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3 (QCSTIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCSTIX achieves a 12.62% return, which is significantly higher than VTSAX's 10.72% return.

QCSTIX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: 2.30%
• YTD: 12.62%
• 6M: 12.55%
• 1Y: 29.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTSAX

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 9.93%
• 1Y: 27.56%
• 3Y*: 20.66%
• 5Y*: 12.87%
• 10Y*: 15.06%

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

QCSTIX vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCSTIX CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3	12.62%	20.05%	0.00%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.72%	17.12%	-2.54%

Correlation

The correlation between QCSTIX and VTSAX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 2024	0.93

The correlation between QCSTIX and VTSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QCSTIX vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCSTIX

QCSTIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
QCSTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
QCSTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QCSTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
QCSTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QCSTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

QCSTIX vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3 (QCSTIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	QCSTIX	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.14	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	2.90	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	3.07	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.89	13.77	-0.89

QCSTIX vs. VTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCSTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the VTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCSTIX and VTSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QCSTIX vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCSTIX drawdown since its inception was -16.98%, smaller than the maximum VTSAX drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCSTIX and VTSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCSTIX	VTSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.98%	-55.33%	+38.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.95%	-8.92%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-1.13%	+1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.02%	-8.99%	+6.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.28%	1.99%	+0.29%

Volatility

QCSTIX vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison

CREF Total Global Stock Account Class R3 (QCSTIX) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) at 4.88%. This indicates that QCSTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCSTIX	VTSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	4.88%	+0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.32%	10.11%	+1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.66%	12.80%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.52%	17.45%	-1.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.52%	18.45%	-2.93%

Dividends

QCSTIX vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison

QCSTIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCSTIX CREF Total Global Stock 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%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.11%	1.26%	1.42%	1.65%	1.20%	1.41%	1.76%	2.03%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCSTIX and VTSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, QCSTIX and VTSAX 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, QCSTIX or VTSAX?

QCSTIX has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to VTSAX (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCSTIX dropped -16.98% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCSTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.14), 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.