SAMFX vs. TGRNX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SAMFX (Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund) and TGRNX (TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, SAMFX returned -0.36%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for TGRNX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SAMFX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for TGRNX.

Performance

SAMFX vs. TGRNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund (SAMFX) and TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAMFX achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly lower than TGRNX's 0.68% return.

SAMFX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 6M: 0.39%
• 1Y: 5.17%
• 3Y*: 3.18%
• 5Y*: -0.36%
• 10Y*: 1.36%

TGRNX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: 0.81%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: 4.65%
• 5Y*: 0.41%
• 10Y*: —

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

SAMFX vs. TGRNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SAMFX Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund	0.35%	6.87%	0.43%	4.35%	-13.57%	-1.44%	10.24%	7.12%	2.41%
TGRNX TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund	0.68%	6.76%	3.08%	5.73%	-13.43%	-0.60%	8.57%	9.15%	1.43%

Correlation

The correlation between SAMFX and TGRNX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2018	0.93

The correlation between SAMFX and TGRNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SAMFX vs. TGRNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAMFX

SAMFX Risk / Return Rank: 20
SAMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
SAMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
SAMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
SAMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
SAMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

TGRNX

TGRNX Risk / Return Rank: 36
TGRNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
TGRNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
TGRNX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
TGRNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
TGRNX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

SAMFX vs. TGRNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund (SAMFX) and TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX). 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.

	SAMFX	TGRNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	1.65	-0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	2.57	-0.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.31	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	2.44	-0.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.62	8.05	-2.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAMFX vs. TGRNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAMFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the TGRNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAMFX and TGRNX, 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

	SAMFX	TGRNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	1.65	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06	0.08	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.54	+0.04

Drawdowns

SAMFX vs. TGRNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAMFX drawdown since its inception was -18.72%, roughly equal to the maximum TGRNX drawdown of -17.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAMFX and TGRNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAMFX	TGRNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.72%	-17.85%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.09%	-2.47%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.48%	-3.99%	-2.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.95%	-17.85%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.72%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.85%	-0.78%	-4.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-5.23%	+1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.75%	+0.22%

Volatility

SAMFX vs. TGRNX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund (SAMFX) has a higher volatility of 1.47% compared to TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX) at 1.06%. This indicates that SAMFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TGRNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAMFX	TGRNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.47%	1.06%	+0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.83%	2.31%	+0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96%	3.15%	+0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.87%	4.84%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.89%	4.82%	+0.07%

SAMFX vs. TGRNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAMFX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than TGRNX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAMFX vs. TGRNX - Dividend Comparison

SAMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, less than TGRNX's 4.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAMFX Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund	4.21%	4.25%	3.57%	3.16%	3.33%	1.09%	1.99%	1.95%	2.09%	2.36%	3.59%	2.12%
TGRNX TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund	4.29%	4.31%	4.48%	3.30%	2.69%	2.76%	4.20%	4.38%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAMFX and TGRNX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SAMFX and TGRNX 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, SAMFX or TGRNX?

SAMFX has higher volatility (1.47%) compared to TGRNX (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAMFX dropped -18.72% vs TGRNX's -17.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TGRNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.26), 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.