TIHYX vs. TISPX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TIHYX (TIAA-CREF High Yield Fund) and TISPX (TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - TIHYX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TISPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TIHYX returned 5.22%/yr vs 15.31%/yr for TISPX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TIHYX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TISPX.

Performance

TIHYX vs. TISPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF High Yield Fund (TIHYX) and TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TIHYX achieves a 2.18% return, which is significantly lower than TISPX's 10.87% return. Over the past 10 years, TIHYX has underperformed TISPX with an annualized return of 5.22%, while TISPX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.31% annualized return.

TIHYX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 2.86%
• 1Y: 8.13%
• 3Y*: 8.59%
• 5Y*: 4.03%
• 10Y*: 5.22%

TISPX

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 4.18%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 27.92%
• 3Y*: 22.39%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 15.31%

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

TIHYX vs. TISPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIHYX TIAA-CREF High Yield Fund	2.18%	8.43%	6.75%	12.42%	-10.72%	4.81%	2.63%	16.67%	-3.10%	5.69%
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	10.87%	17.79%	24.94%	26.22%	-18.13%	28.66%	18.34%	31.44%	-4.52%	19.58%

Correlation

The correlation between TIHYX and TISPX is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2006	0.38

The correlation between TIHYX and TISPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.57 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TIHYX vs. TISPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIHYX

TIHYX Risk / Return Rank: 83
TIHYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
TIHYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
TIHYX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
TIHYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
TIHYX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

TISPX

TISPX Risk / Return Rank: 66
TISPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
TISPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
TISPX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
TISPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
TISPX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

TIHYX vs. TISPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF High Yield Fund (TIHYX) and TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX). 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.

	TIHYX	TISPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	2.37	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.47	3.24	+1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.43	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	3.17	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.07	14.76	+3.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TIHYX vs. TISPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIHYX Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the TISPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIHYX and TISPX, 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

	TIHYX	TISPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	2.37	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.83	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	0.85	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	0.62	+0.45

Drawdowns

TIHYX vs. TISPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIHYX drawdown since its inception was -27.52%, smaller than the maximum TISPX drawdown of -55.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIHYX and TISPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIHYX	TISPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.52%	-55.16%	+27.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.36%	-8.90%	+6.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.09%	-18.74%	+14.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.35%	-24.48%	+9.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.82%	-33.75%	+10.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.73%	+0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-6.72%	+4.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.46%	1.90%	-1.44%

Volatility

TIHYX vs. TISPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF High Yield Fund (TIHYX) is 0.94%, while TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) has a volatility of 2.92%. This indicates that TIHYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TIHYX	TISPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.94%	2.92%	-1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.63%	9.01%	-6.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.39%	11.90%	-8.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.19%	16.89%	-11.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.89%	18.07%	-12.18%

TIHYX vs. TISPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIHYX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than TISPX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIHYX vs. TISPX - Dividend Comparison

TIHYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.55%, more than TISPX's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TIHYX TIAA-CREF High Yield Fund	6.55%	6.54%	5.35%	5.55%	4.63%	4.68%	5.44%	5.95%	5.53%	5.24%	5.74%	4.77%
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	2.12%	2.35%	1.52%	1.48%	1.91%	1.77%	1.53%	2.16%	2.94%	0.36%	2.39%	0.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIHYX and TISPX in my portfolio?

TIHYX and TISPX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TIHYX or TISPX?

TISPX has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to TIHYX (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIHYX dropped -27.52% vs TISPX's -55.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIHYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 2.37), 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.