TCLEX vs. LTFIX
TCLEX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund) and LTFIX (Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TCLEX returned 5.62%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for LTFIX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. TCLEX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTFIX.
Performance
TCLEX vs. LTFIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TCLEX achieves a 3.64% return, which is significantly lower than LTFIX's 8.75% return. Over the past 10 years, TCLEX has underperformed LTFIX with an annualized return of 5.62%, while LTFIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.24% annualized return.
TCLEX
- 1D
- 0.79%
- 1M
- -0.36%
- 6M
- 2.42%
- YTD
- 3.64%
- 1Y
- 9.03%
- 3Y*
- 8.43%
- 5Y*
- 3.83%
- 10Y*
- 5.62%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.28%
LTFIX
- 1D
- 1.71%
- 1M
- 0.48%
- 6M
- 5.91%
- YTD
- 8.75%
- 1Y
- 18.10%
- 3Y*
- 16.06%
- 5Y*
- 8.75%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.34%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
TCLEX vs. LTFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund | 3.64% | 11.22% | 7.31% | 10.64% | -12.64% | 6.62% | 10.95% | 15.14% | -4.14% | 9.99% |
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund | 8.75% | 17.80% | 17.28% | 20.33% | -18.84% | 17.73% | 16.47% | 27.27% | -9.03% | 22.52% |
Correlation
The correlation between TCLEX and LTFIX is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.90 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2008 | 0.94 |
The correlation between TCLEX and LTFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TCLEX vs. LTFIX — Risk / Return Rank
TCLEX
LTFIX
TCLEX vs. LTFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). 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 | LTFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.56 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.23 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.07 | 1.84 | +0.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.79 | 7.90 | +0.89 |
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Drawdowns
TCLEX vs. LTFIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TCLEX drawdown since its inception was -35.33%, smaller than the maximum LTFIX drawdown of -52.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLEX and LTFIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TCLEX | LTFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.33% | -52.73% | +17.40% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.28% | -8.71% | +4.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.25% | -15.70% | +7.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.31% | -26.80% | +9.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.31% | -33.50% | +16.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.78% | -0.83% | +0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.96% | -7.58% | +3.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.00% | 2.03% | -1.03% |
Volatility
TCLEX vs. LTFIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX) is 1.60%, while Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX) has a volatility of 3.49%. This indicates that TCLEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TCLEX | LTFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.60% | 3.49% | -1.89% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.62% | 10.64% | -6.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.51% | 12.88% | -7.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.97% | 15.60% | -8.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.97% | 15.80% | -8.83% |
TCLEX vs. LTFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TCLEX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than LTFIX's 0.01% expense ratio.
Dividends
TCLEX vs. LTFIX - Dividend Comparison
TCLEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.14%, less than LTFIX's 8.02% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund | 8.02% | 8.73% | 8.47% | 4.17% | 8.60% | 5.83% | 3.91% | 6.03% | 6.60% | 3.51% | 3.99% | 4.51% |
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund | 5.14% | 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
With a correlation of 0.95, TCLEX and LTFIX 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.
LTFIX has higher volatility (3.49%) compared to TCLEX (1.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLEX dropped -35.33% vs LTFIX's -52.73%.
TCLEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.25), 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.
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