TIBFX vs. FTBFX
TIBFX (TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class) and FTBFX (Fidelity Total Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - TIBFX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by TIAA Investments, while FTBFX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, TIBFX returned 2.26%/yr vs 2.41%/yr for FTBFX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TIBFX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FTBFX.
Performance
TIBFX vs. FTBFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TIBFX achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly higher than FTBFX's 0.25% return. Over the past 10 years, TIBFX has underperformed FTBFX with an annualized return of 2.26%, while FTBFX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.41% annualized return.
TIBFX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.74%
- YTD
- 0.58%
- 6M
- 0.97%
- 1Y
- 5.03%
- 3Y*
- 4.67%
- 5Y*
- 0.40%
- 10Y*
- 2.26%
FTBFX
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 0.57%
- YTD
- 0.25%
- 6M
- 0.60%
- 1Y
- 4.53%
- 3Y*
- 4.65%
- 5Y*
- 0.57%
- 10Y*
- 2.41%
TIBFX vs. FTBFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TIBFX TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class | 0.58% | 7.36% | 2.34% | 6.66% | -13.84% | -0.32% | 8.22% | 9.71% | -0.53% | 4.83% |
FTBFX Fidelity Total Bond Fund | 0.25% | 7.50% | 2.13% | 7.25% | -13.58% | -0.44% | 9.34% | 9.89% | -0.66% | 4.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between TIBFX and FTBFX is 0.95 - 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 | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2006 | 0.92 |
The correlation between TIBFX and FTBFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TIBFX vs. FTBFX — Risk / Return Rank
TIBFX
FTBFX
TIBFX vs. FTBFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class (TIBFX) and Fidelity Total Bond Fund (FTBFX). 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.
| TIBFX | FTBFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.36 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.22 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.78 | 1.65 | +0.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.65 | 4.75 | +0.90 |
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Drawdowns
TIBFX vs. FTBFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TIBFX drawdown since its inception was -18.92%, roughly equal to the maximum FTBFX drawdown of -18.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIBFX and FTBFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TIBFX | FTBFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.92% | -18.25% | -0.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.98% | -2.89% | -0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.67% | -5.82% | +0.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.92% | -18.25% | -0.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.92% | -18.25% | -0.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.25% | -1.62% | +0.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.62% | -2.32% | -0.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.93% | 1.00% | -0.07% |
Volatility
TIBFX vs. FTBFX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class (TIBFX) is 1.08%, while Fidelity Total Bond Fund (FTBFX) has a volatility of 1.18%. This indicates that TIBFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTBFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TIBFX | FTBFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.08% | 1.18% | -0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.79% | 2.89% | -0.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.68% | 3.82% | -0.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.44% | 5.68% | -0.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.58% | 4.74% | -0.16% |
TIBFX vs. FTBFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TIBFX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than FTBFX's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
TIBFX vs. FTBFX - Dividend Comparison
TIBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.72%, more than FTBFX's 4.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTBFX Fidelity Total Bond Fund | 4.37% | 4.36% | 4.15% | 4.15% | 2.54% | 1.89% | 5.22% | 3.03% | 3.19% | 2.97% | 3.61% | 3.30% |
TIBFX TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class | 4.72% | 4.55% | 3.87% | 3.84% | 2.85% | 3.76% | 3.71% | 3.24% | 3.08% | 3.16% | 4.14% | 3.95% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, TIBFX and FTBFX 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.
FTBFX has higher volatility (1.18%) compared to TIBFX (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIBFX dropped -18.92% vs FTBFX's -18.25%.
TIBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.25), 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.
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