TCLFX vs. TISBX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TCLFX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund) and TISBX (TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund) are both mutual funds - TCLFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TISBX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TCLFX returned 7.75%/yr vs 11.71%/yr for TISBX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TCLFX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TISBX.

Performance

TCLFX vs. TISBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCLFX achieves a 5.39% return, which is significantly lower than TISBX's 21.71% return. Over the past 10 years, TCLFX has underperformed TISBX with an annualized return of 7.75%, while TISBX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.71% annualized return.

TCLFX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 1.33%
• YTD: 5.39%
• 6M: 5.18%
• 1Y: 14.09%
• 3Y*: 11.13%
• 5Y*: 5.11%
• 10Y*: 7.75%

TISBX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 21.71%
• 6M: 18.99%
• 1Y: 42.52%
• 3Y*: 19.80%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 11.71%

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

TCLFX vs. TISBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCLFX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund	5.39%	12.77%	8.81%	12.83%	-14.54%	9.44%	13.22%	19.21%	-6.41%	14.74%
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	21.71%	12.72%	11.60%	17.07%	-20.31%	14.85%	20.14%	25.61%	-10.99%	13.14%

Correlation

The correlation between TCLFX and TISBX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2004	0.86

The correlation between TCLFX and TISBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCLFX vs. TISBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCLFX

TCLFX Risk / Return Rank: 62
TCLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
TCLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
TCLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
TCLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
TCLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

TISBX

TISBX Risk / Return Rank: 72
TISBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
TISBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
TISBX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
TISBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
TISBX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

TCLFX vs. TISBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). 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.

	TCLFX	TISBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.26	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	3.07	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	4.07	-1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.64	14.37	-2.73

TCLFX vs. TISBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCLFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the TISBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCLFX and TISBX, 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

TCLFX vs. TISBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCLFX drawdown since its inception was -48.12%, smaller than the maximum TISBX drawdown of -56.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLFX and TISBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCLFX	TISBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.12%	-56.50%	+8.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.50%	-10.95%	+5.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.03%	-27.44%	+19.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.28%	-31.89%	+11.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.98%	-41.69%	+18.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	0.00%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.97%	-9.67%	+3.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.26%	3.09%	-1.83%

Volatility

TCLFX vs. TISBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX) is 2.68%, while TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) has a volatility of 6.39%. This indicates that TCLFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCLFX	TISBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	6.39%	-3.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.73%	14.34%	-8.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.90%	19.76%	-12.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.61%	22.64%	-14.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.63%	23.49%	-13.86%

TCLFX vs. TISBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCLFX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than TISBX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCLFX vs. TISBX - Dividend Comparison

TCLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than TISBX's 3.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TCLFX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund	4.56%	4.81%	3.42%	2.14%	5.63%	7.38%	4.75%	3.53%	6.46%	2.33%	5.05%	4.79%
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	3.39%	4.12%	6.82%	3.09%	1.97%	8.96%	2.65%	5.16%	9.29%	4.49%	4.03%	4.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCLFX and TISBX in my portfolio?

TCLFX and TISBX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCLFX or TISBX?

TISBX has higher volatility (6.39%) compared to TCLFX (2.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLFX dropped -48.12% vs TISBX's -56.50%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.14), 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.