SAIPX vs. TSAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SAIPX (Principal Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio) and TSAIX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, SAIPX returned 6.25%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for TSAIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SAIPX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for TSAIX.

Performance

SAIPX vs. TSAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio (SAIPX) 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, SAIPX achieves a 5.05% return, which is significantly lower than TSAIX's 10.64% return. Over the past 10 years, SAIPX has underperformed TSAIX with an annualized return of 6.25%, while TSAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.

SAIPX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 2.31%
• YTD: 5.05%
• 6M: 5.23%
• 1Y: 13.58%
• 3Y*: 11.11%
• 5Y*: 4.74%
• 10Y*: 6.25%

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)

SAIPX vs. TSAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAIPX Principal Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio	5.05%	11.24%	9.82%	11.69%	-14.84%	9.14%	9.03%	15.50%	-4.08%	10.88%
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 SAIPX and TSAIX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2011	0.92

The correlation between SAIPX and TSAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SAIPX vs. TSAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAIPX

SAIPX Risk / Return Rank: 61
SAIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SAIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SAIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SAIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
SAIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

SAIPX vs. TSAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio (SAIPX) 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.

	SAIPX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.11	+0.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	2.93	+0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.38	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	2.65	+0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.97	11.60	+0.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAIPX vs. TSAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAIPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the TSAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAIPX 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

	SAIPX	TSAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.11	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.60	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.68	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.72	-0.01

Drawdowns

SAIPX vs. TSAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAIPX drawdown since its inception was -29.80%, smaller than the maximum TSAIX drawdown of -34.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAIPX and TSAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAIPX	TSAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.80%	-34.58%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.05%	-10.28%	+5.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.90%	-17.29%	+10.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.79%	-28.28%	+8.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.02%	-34.58%	+14.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.96%	-4.92%	+1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.15%	2.34%	-1.19%

Volatility

SAIPX vs. TSAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio (SAIPX) is 2.10%, while TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that SAIPX 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

	SAIPX	TSAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.10%	3.72%	-1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.88%	10.26%	-5.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.91%	12.92%	-7.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.85%	16.25%	-8.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.69%	17.65%	-9.96%

SAIPX vs. TSAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAIPX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than TSAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAIPX vs. TSAIX - Dividend Comparison

SAIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.17%, more than TSAIX's 6.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAIPX Principal Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio	7.17%	7.89%	4.67%	2.20%	4.69%	6.89%	2.75%	3.41%	7.38%	4.85%	3.14%	6.11%
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 SAIPX and TSAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SAIPX 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, SAIPX or TSAIX?

TSAIX has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to SAIPX (2.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAIPX dropped -29.80% vs TSAIX's -34.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAIPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 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.