TFITX vs. TIEIX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

TFITX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund) and TIEIX (Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I) are both mutual funds - TFITX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TIEIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Index. Over the past 5 years, TFITX returned 10.36%/yr vs 12.12%/yr for TIEIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TFITX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for TIEIX.

Performance

TFITX vs. TIEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX) and Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TFITX having a 11.91% return and TIEIX slightly lower at 11.62%.

TFITX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.18%
• 6M: 8.86%
• YTD: 11.91%
• 1Y: 22.95%
• 3Y*: 18.94%
• 5Y*: 10.36%
• 10Y*: —

TIEIX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 1.99%
• 6M: 9.16%
• YTD: 11.62%
• 1Y: 22.38%
• 3Y*: 20.53%
• 5Y*: 12.12%
• 10Y*: 14.58%

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

TFITX vs. TIEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TFITX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund	11.91%	21.24%	15.76%	21.16%	-17.62%	18.06%	10.38%
TIEIX Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I	11.62%	17.04%	23.71%	25.92%	-19.18%	25.64%	9.13%

Correlation

The correlation between TFITX and TIEIX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2020	0.97

The correlation between TFITX and TIEIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TFITX vs. TIEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TFITX

TFITX Risk / Return Rank: 65
TFITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
TFITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
TFITX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
TFITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
TFITX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

TIEIX

TIEIX Risk / Return Rank: 63
TIEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
TIEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
TIEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
TIEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
TIEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

TFITX vs. TIEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX) and Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX). 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.

	TFITX	TIEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.72	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.38	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.31	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	2.50	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.61	10.94	-0.32

TFITX vs. TIEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TFITX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the TIEIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TFITX and TIEIX, 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

TFITX vs. TIEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TFITX drawdown since its inception was -25.64%, smaller than the maximum TIEIX drawdown of -55.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TFITX and TIEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TFITX	TIEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.64%	-55.55%	+29.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.12%	-8.84%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.56%	-19.29%	+3.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.64%	-25.06%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-0.08%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-10.27%	+5.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	2.01%	+0.10%

Volatility

TFITX vs. TIEIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX) has a higher volatility of 4.67% compared to Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX) at 4.21%. This indicates that TFITX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TIEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TFITX	TIEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	4.21%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.67%	10.08%	+0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.76%	12.81%	-0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.14%	17.41%	-2.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.88%	18.37%	-3.49%

TFITX vs. TIEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TFITX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than TIEIX's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TFITX vs. TIEIX - Dividend Comparison

TFITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, more than TIEIX's 2.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TFITX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund	2.18%	2.44%	2.12%	2.05%	2.09%	1.84%	1.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TIEIX Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I	2.14%	2.39%	1.63%	1.47%	1.83%	2.08%	1.43%	1.99%	2.45%	0.52%	2.45%	1.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TFITX and TIEIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, TFITX and TIEIX 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, TFITX or TIEIX?

TFITX has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to TIEIX (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TFITX dropped -25.64% vs TIEIX's -55.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TFITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.72), 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.