TGRNX vs. TLLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TGRNX (TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund) and TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) are both mutual funds - TGRNX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TLLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 5 years, TGRNX returned 0.42%/yr vs 10.53%/yr for TLLIX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TGRNX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLLIX.

Performance

TGRNX vs. TLLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TGRNX achieves a 0.68% return, which is significantly lower than TLLIX's 12.02% return.

TGRNX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: 4.65%
• 5Y*: 0.42%
• 10Y*: —

TLLIX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 12.74%
• 1Y: 27.72%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 10.53%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

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

TGRNX vs. TLLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
TGRNX TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund	0.68%	6.76%	3.08%	5.73%	-13.43%	-0.60%	8.57%	9.15%	1.43%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	12.02%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	17.20%	26.04%	-6.39%

Correlation

The correlation between TGRNX and TLLIX is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2018	0.09

Over the past year, TGRNX and TLLIX have become more correlated (0.34) than their long-term average of 0.09, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

TGRNX vs. TLLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TGRNX

TGRNX Risk / Return Rank: 36
TGRNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
TGRNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
TGRNX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
TGRNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
TGRNX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

TLLIX

TLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
TLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
TLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

TGRNX vs. TLLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). 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.

	TGRNX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.49	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	3.45	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.45	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	3.22	-1.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.23	14.33	-7.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TGRNX vs. TLLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TGRNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is lower than the TLLIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TGRNX and TLLIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TGRNX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	2.49	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.73	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.74	-0.20

Drawdowns

TGRNX vs. TLLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TGRNX drawdown since its inception was -17.85%, smaller than the maximum TLLIX drawdown of -31.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TGRNX and TLLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TGRNX	TLLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.85%	-31.41%	+13.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.47%	-8.79%	+6.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.99%	-14.90%	+10.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.85%	-25.38%	+7.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	0.00%	-0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.23%	-4.16%	-1.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	1.97%	-1.22%

Volatility

TGRNX vs. TLLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX) is 1.06%, while TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) has a volatility of 3.38%. This indicates that TGRNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TGRNX	TLLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	3.38%	-2.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.31%	9.03%	-6.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.15%	11.36%	-8.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.84%	14.47%	-9.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.82%	15.52%	-10.70%

TGRNX vs. TLLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TGRNX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than TLLIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

TGRNX vs. TLLIX - Dividend Comparison

TGRNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.29%, more than TLLIX's 2.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TGRNX TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund	4.29%	4.31%	4.48%	3.30%	2.69%	2.76%	4.20%	4.38%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	2.79%	3.12%	2.26%	2.17%	2.35%	2.29%	1.71%	2.25%	2.67%	0.15%	2.57%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TGRNX and TLLIX in my portfolio?

TGRNX and TLLIX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TGRNX or TLLIX?

TLLIX has higher volatility (3.38%) compared to TGRNX (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TGRNX dropped -17.85% vs TLLIX's -31.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.73), 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.