SSCDX vs. TISEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSCDX (Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund) and TISEX (TIAA-CREF Quant Small-Cap Equity Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SSCDX returned 10.80%/yr vs 12.98%/yr for TISEX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSCDX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for TISEX.

Performance

SSCDX vs. TISEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund (SSCDX) and TIAA-CREF Quant Small-Cap Equity Fund (TISEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSCDX achieves a 16.85% return, which is significantly lower than TISEX's 19.56% return. Over the past 10 years, SSCDX has underperformed TISEX with an annualized return of 10.80%, while TISEX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.98% annualized return.

SSCDX

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 16.19%
• 1Y: 32.90%
• 3Y*: 19.16%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 10.80%

TISEX

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 5.20%
• YTD: 19.56%
• 6M: 19.03%
• 1Y: 43.20%
• 3Y*: 22.20%
• 5Y*: 10.85%
• 10Y*: 12.98%

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

SSCDX vs. TISEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSCDX Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund	16.85%	12.90%	15.50%	15.50%	-17.15%	23.46%	16.21%	27.12%	-17.10%	13.69%
TISEX TIAA-CREF Quant Small-Cap Equity Fund	19.56%	16.31%	16.29%	18.72%	-15.49%	25.00%	12.81%	23.94%	-12.33%	14.07%

Correlation

The correlation between SSCDX and TISEX 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	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2015	0.95

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

Return for Risk

SSCDX vs. TISEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSCDX

SSCDX Risk / Return Rank: 64
SSCDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SSCDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
SSCDX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
SSCDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SSCDX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

TISEX

TISEX Risk / Return Rank: 72
TISEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
TISEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
TISEX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
TISEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
TISEX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

SSCDX vs. TISEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund (SSCDX) and TIAA-CREF Quant Small-Cap Equity Fund (TISEX). 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.

	SSCDX	TISEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.40	-0.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.24	-0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.40	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.28	4.93	-0.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.11	18.46	-3.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSCDX vs. TISEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSCDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the TISEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSCDX and TISEX, 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

	SSCDX	TISEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.40	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.49	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.56	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.48	0.00

Drawdowns

SSCDX vs. TISEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSCDX drawdown since its inception was -38.79%, smaller than the maximum TISEX drawdown of -59.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSCDX and TISEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSCDX	TISEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.79%	-59.91%	+21.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.22%	-9.20%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.99%	-26.18%	+2.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.06%	-27.92%	+0.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.79%	-45.76%	+6.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.10%	0.00%	-2.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.00%	-9.36%	+2.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	2.45%	-0.12%

Volatility

SSCDX vs. TISEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund (SSCDX) is 5.04%, while TIAA-CREF Quant Small-Cap Equity Fund (TISEX) has a volatility of 5.57%. This indicates that SSCDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSCDX	TISEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	5.57%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.06%	13.29%	-1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.33%	18.91%	-2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.09%	22.05%	-1.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.70%	23.39%	-2.69%

SSCDX vs. TISEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSCDX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than TISEX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSCDX vs. TISEX - Dividend Comparison

SSCDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than TISEX's 7.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SSCDX Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund	1.83%	2.21%	1.79%	1.07%	4.26%	8.47%	0.77%	1.33%	2.69%	0.85%	1.16%	0.87%
TISEX TIAA-CREF Quant Small-Cap Equity Fund	7.62%	9.11%	12.26%	2.08%	6.47%	21.14%	0.63%	5.41%	20.46%	10.29%	3.48%	7.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSCDX and TISEX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SSCDX and TISEX 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, SSCDX or TISEX?

TISEX has higher volatility (5.57%) compared to SSCDX (5.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSCDX dropped -38.79% vs TISEX's -59.91%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.16), 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.