TIGRX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TIGRX (TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - TIGRX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, TIGRX returned 14.74%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for VFIAX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TIGRX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

TIGRX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TIGRX achieves a 8.23% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, TIGRX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 14.74%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.63% annualized return.

TIGRX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 8.23%
• 6M: 8.23%
• 1Y: 25.75%
• 3Y*: 21.73%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: 14.74%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

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

TIGRX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIGRX TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund	8.23%	13.92%	29.01%	32.97%	-22.15%	25.55%	20.49%	30.29%	-7.33%	23.72%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between TIGRX and VFIAX is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.98

The correlation between TIGRX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TIGRX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIGRX

TIGRX Risk / Return Rank: 44
TIGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
TIGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
TIGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
TIGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
TIGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

TIGRX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	TIGRX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.52	-0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	3.42	-0.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.46	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	3.35	-0.95
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.06	15.66	-5.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TIGRX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIGRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIGRX and VFIAX, 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

	TIGRX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	2.52	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.85	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.87	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.47	-0.04

Drawdowns

TIGRX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIGRX drawdown since its inception was -49.52%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIGRX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIGRX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.52%	-55.20%	+5.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.27%	-8.90%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.79%	-18.75%	-2.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.16%	-24.53%	-2.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.56%	-33.83%	-1.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.18%	-9.40%	-1.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	1.90%	+0.79%

Volatility

TIGRX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX) has a higher volatility of 3.68% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.82%. This indicates that TIGRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TIGRX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.68%	2.82%	+0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.15%	8.98%	+1.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.25%	11.86%	+1.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.56%	16.90%	+5.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.37%	18.07%	+3.30%

TIGRX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIGRX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIGRX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

TIGRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.81%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TIGRX TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund	12.81%	14.09%	11.70%	24.27%	9.52%	19.80%	7.44%	6.61%	9.98%	4.60%	3.06%	8.41%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIGRX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, TIGRX and VFIAX 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, TIGRX or VFIAX?

TIGRX has higher volatility (3.68%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIGRX dropped -49.52% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.00), 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.