TCLEX vs. FRQIX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

TCLEX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund) and FRQIX (Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class I) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TCLEX returned 5.74%/yr vs 5.14%/yr for FRQIX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TCLEX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FRQIX.

Performance

TCLEX vs. FRQIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class I (FRQIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCLEX achieves a 4.16% return, which is significantly higher than FRQIX's 3.60% return. Over the past 10 years, TCLEX has outperformed FRQIX with an annualized return of 5.74%, while FRQIX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.14% annualized return.

TCLEX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.43%
• 6M: 2.94%
• YTD: 4.16%
• 1Y: 9.98%
• 3Y*: 9.29%
• 5Y*: 4.01%
• 10Y*: 5.74%

FRQIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 2.67%
• YTD: 3.60%
• 1Y: 8.30%
• 3Y*: 7.40%
• 5Y*: 2.72%
• 10Y*: 5.14%

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

TCLEX vs. FRQIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund	4.16%	11.22%	7.31%	10.64%	-12.64%	6.62%	10.95%	15.14%	-4.14%	9.99%
FRQIX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class I	3.60%	9.97%	4.48%	8.52%	-12.39%	3.82%	9.58%	12.63%	-2.84%	10.64%

Correlation

The correlation between TCLEX and FRQIX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
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 Aug 30, 2007	0.95

The correlation between TCLEX and FRQIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCLEX vs. FRQIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCLEX

TCLEX Risk / Return Rank: 65
TCLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
TCLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
TCLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
TCLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
TCLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

FRQIX

FRQIX Risk / Return Rank: 70
FRQIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FRQIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
FRQIX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FRQIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FRQIX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

TCLEX vs. FRQIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class I (FRQIX). 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.

	TCLEX	FRQIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.90	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.75	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.38	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	2.39	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.87	9.97	-0.10

TCLEX vs. FRQIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCLEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the FRQIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCLEX and FRQIX, 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

TCLEX vs. FRQIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCLEX drawdown since its inception was -35.33%, smaller than the maximum FRQIX drawdown of -38.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLEX and FRQIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCLEX	FRQIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.33%	-38.01%	+2.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.28%	-3.43%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.25%	-5.21%	-3.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.31%	-17.04%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.31%	-17.04%	-0.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-0.42%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-4.42%	+0.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	0.82%	+0.16%

Volatility

TCLEX vs. FRQIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX) has a higher volatility of 1.93% compared to Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class I (FRQIX) at 1.59%. This indicates that TCLEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRQIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCLEX	FRQIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.93%	1.59%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.53%	3.66%	+0.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.39%	4.32%	+1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.95%	5.60%	+1.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.96%	5.28%	+1.68%

TCLEX vs. FRQIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCLEX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than FRQIX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCLEX vs. FRQIX - Dividend Comparison

TCLEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.11%, more than FRQIX's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRQIX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class I	3.09%	3.14%	2.97%	2.75%	5.01%	6.00%	3.51%	3.14%	5.60%	16.32%	2.43%	4.08%
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund	5.11%	5.33%	4.44%	2.95%	5.91%	8.53%	6.93%	3.95%	5.60%	1.72%	3.45%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCLEX and FRQIX in my portfolio?

TCLEX and FRQIX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCLEX or FRQIX?

TCLEX has higher volatility (1.93%) compared to FRQIX (1.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLEX dropped -35.33% vs FRQIX's -38.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRQIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.80), 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.