TFTIX vs. TIGRX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

TFTIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund) and TIGRX (TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund) are both mutual funds - TFTIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA, while TIGRX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA. Over the past 10 years, TFTIX returned 10.85%/yr vs 14.08%/yr for TIGRX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. TFTIX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for TIGRX.

Performance

TFTIX vs. TIGRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund (TFTIX) and TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TFTIX achieves a 8.14% return, which is significantly higher than TIGRX's 4.86% return. Over the past 10 years, TFTIX has underperformed TIGRX with an annualized return of 10.85%, while TIGRX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.08% annualized return.

TFTIX

• 1D: 2.17%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 5.52%
• YTD: 8.14%
• 1Y: 18.91%
• 3Y*: 14.85%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 10.85%
• ALL TIME*: 7.67%

TIGRX

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: -0.94%
• 6M: 4.17%
• YTD: 4.86%
• 1Y: 13.99%
• 3Y*: 17.54%
• 5Y*: 11.39%
• 10Y*: 14.08%
• ALL TIME*: 8.50%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TFTIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
TIGRX TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

TFTIX vs. TIGRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TFTIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund	8.14%	18.80%	14.28%	20.02%	-17.71%	16.37%	17.42%	26.21%	-9.90%	20.54%
TIGRX TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund	4.86%	13.92%	29.01%	32.97%	-22.15%	25.55%	20.49%	30.29%	-7.33%	23.72%

Correlation

The correlation between TFTIX and TIGRX is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008	0.97

The correlation between TFTIX and TIGRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TFTIX vs. TIGRX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TFTIX

TFTIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
TFTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
TFTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
TFTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
TFTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
TFTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

TIGRX

TIGRX Risk / Return Rank: 26
TIGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
TIGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
TIGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
TIGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
TIGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TFTIX vs. TIGRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund (TFTIX) and TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX). 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.

	TFTIX	TIGRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	0.86	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	1.28	+0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.16	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	1.10	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.81	4.25	+3.56

TFTIX vs. TIGRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TFTIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is higher than the TIGRX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TFTIX and TIGRX, 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

TFTIX vs. TIGRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TFTIX drawdown since its inception was -51.99%, roughly equal to the maximum TIGRX drawdown of -49.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TFTIX and TIGRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TFTIX	TIGRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.99%	-49.52%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.33%	-11.27%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.58%	-20.79%	+5.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.68%	-27.16%	+1.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.44%	-35.56%	+3.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-3.36%	+2.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.66%	-11.13%	+3.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	2.90%	-0.69%

Volatility

TFTIX vs. TIGRX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund (TFTIX) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX) at 3.68%. This indicates that TFTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TIGRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TFTIX	TIGRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	3.68%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.59%	11.35%	-0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.82%	14.34%	-1.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.85%	22.67%	-7.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.94%	21.37%	-5.43%

TFTIX vs. TIGRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TFTIX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than TIGRX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

TFTIX vs. TIGRX - Dividend Comparison

TFTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.79%, less than TIGRX's 13.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TFTIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund	6.79%	7.34%	3.79%	2.01%	8.81%	11.71%	6.91%	5.63%	5.37%	0.84%	3.85%	3.53%
TIGRX TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund	13.24%	14.09%	11.70%	24.27%	9.52%	19.80%	7.44%	6.61%	9.98%	4.60%	3.06%	8.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TFTIX and TIGRX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, TFTIX and TIGRX 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, TFTIX or TIGRX?

TFTIX has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to TIGRX (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TFTIX dropped -51.99% vs TIGRX's -49.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TFTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 0.86), 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.