TFITX vs. VUG
Compare and contrast key facts about TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).
TFITX is managed by TIAA Investments. It was launched on Sep 29, 2020. VUG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
TFITX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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TFITX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TFITX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund | -1.85% | 21.24% | 15.76% | 21.16% | -17.62% | 18.06% | 10.38% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | -9.39% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 6.44% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TFITX achieves a -1.85% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -9.39% return.
TFITX
- 1D
- 2.74%
- 1M
- -5.56%
- YTD
- -1.85%
- 6M
- 0.57%
- 1Y
- 19.34%
- 3Y*
- 16.00%
- 5Y*
- 8.87%
- 10Y*
- —
VUG
- 1D
- 1.09%
- 1M
- -4.37%
- YTD
- -9.39%
- 6M
- -8.17%
- 1Y
- 18.52%
- 3Y*
- 21.59%
- 5Y*
- 11.67%
- 10Y*
- 16.16%
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TFITX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
TFITX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% 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%.
Return for Risk
TFITX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
TFITX
VUG
TFITX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.
| TFITX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.25 | 0.82 | +0.43 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.82 | 1.32 | +0.50 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.19 | +0.08 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.60 | 1.19 | +0.42 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.43 | 4.15 | +3.28 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| TFITX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.25 | 0.82 | +0.43 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 | 0.53 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.76 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.76 | 0.57 | +0.19 |
Correlation
The correlation between TFITX and VUG is 0.89, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
TFITX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
TFITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.48%, more than VUG's 0.45% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TFITX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund | 2.48% | 2.44% | 2.12% | 2.05% | 2.09% | 1.84% | 1.55% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.45% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Drawdowns
TFITX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TFITX drawdown since its inception was -25.64%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TFITX and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TFITX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.64% | -50.68% | +25.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.17% | -16.53% | +5.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.64% | -35.61% | +9.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.61% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.63% | -12.25% | +5.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.40% | -7.13% | +1.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.41% | 4.72% | -2.31% |
Volatility
TFITX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX) is 5.78%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that TFITX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TFITX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.78% | 7.12% | -1.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.26% | 12.70% | -3.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.97% | 22.70% | -6.73% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.92% | 22.22% | -7.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.88% | 21.38% | -6.50% |