TFITX vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TFITX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both funds - TFITX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 5 years, TFITX returned 11.06%/yr vs 13.40%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TFITX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

TFITX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TFITX achieves a 12.03% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 5.76% return.

TFITX

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 1.90%
• YTD: 12.03%
• 6M: 11.83%
• 1Y: 28.15%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 11.06%
• 10Y*: —

VUG

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: -1.87%
• YTD: 5.76%
• 6M: 5.17%
• 1Y: 24.00%
• 3Y*: 23.62%
• 5Y*: 13.40%
• 10Y*: 18.28%

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

TFITX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TFITX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund	12.03%	21.24%	15.76%	21.16%	-17.62%	18.06%	10.38%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.76%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	5.57%

Correlation

The correlation between TFITX and VUG is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2020	0.89

The correlation between TFITX and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TFITX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

TFITX

TFITX Risk / Return Rank: 68
TFITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
TFITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
TFITX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
TFITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TFITX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 37
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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. 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.

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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	1.44	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	1.97	+1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.25	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	1.46	+1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.38	4.99	+8.39

TFITX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TFITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TFITX and VUG, 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. 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.

Drawdown Indicators

	TFITX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.64%	-50.68%	+25.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.12%	-16.53%	+7.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.56%	-22.85%	+7.29%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-4.86%	+4.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.24%	-7.09%	+1.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	4.82%	-2.74%

Volatility

TFITX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX) is 5.14%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 6.55%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	TFITX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.14%	6.55%	-1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.46%	13.32%	-2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.61%	16.80%	-4.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.11%	22.36%	-7.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.90%	21.53%	-6.63%

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%.

Dividends

TFITX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

TFITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, more than VUG's 0.39% 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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.39%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TFITX and VUG in my portfolio?

TFITX and VUG have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TFITX or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (6.55%) compared to TFITX (5.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TFITX dropped -25.64% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TFITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.44), 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.