TILGX vs. TCLEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TILGX (TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Fund Institutional Class) and TCLEX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund) are both mutual funds - TILGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TCLEX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TILGX returned 16.75%/yr vs 5.90%/yr for TCLEX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TILGX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for TCLEX.

Performance

TILGX vs. TCLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Fund Institutional Class (TILGX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TILGX achieves a 8.14% return, which is significantly higher than TCLEX's 4.31% return. Over the past 10 years, TILGX has outperformed TCLEX with an annualized return of 16.75%, while TCLEX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.90% annualized return.

TILGX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 5.43%
• YTD: 8.14%
• 6M: 7.42%
• 1Y: 24.29%
• 3Y*: 22.92%
• 5Y*: 11.71%
• 10Y*: 16.75%

TCLEX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.89%
• YTD: 4.31%
• 6M: 4.61%
• 1Y: 12.40%
• 3Y*: 9.64%
• 5Y*: 4.32%
• 10Y*: 5.90%

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

TILGX vs. TCLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TILGX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Fund Institutional Class	8.14%	15.25%	29.23%	47.05%	-32.76%	16.84%	44.23%	30.76%	-0.38%	33.89%
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund	4.31%	11.22%	7.31%	10.64%	-12.64%	6.62%	10.95%	15.14%	-4.14%	9.99%

Correlation

The correlation between TILGX and TCLEX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2006	0.87

The correlation between TILGX and TCLEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (3 years) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TILGX vs. TCLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TILGX

TILGX Risk / Return Rank: 26
TILGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
TILGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
TILGX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
TILGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
TILGX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

TCLEX

TCLEX Risk / Return Rank: 70
TCLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
TCLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
TCLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
TCLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
TCLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

TILGX vs. TCLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Fund Institutional Class (TILGX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX). 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.

	TILGX	TCLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	2.49	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	3.68	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.49	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.66	2.94	-1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.60	13.07	-7.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TILGX vs. TCLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TILGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is lower than the TCLEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TILGX and TCLEX, 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

	TILGX	TCLEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	2.49	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.63	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.85	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.61	-0.04

Drawdowns

TILGX vs. TCLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TILGX drawdown since its inception was -52.16%, which is greater than TCLEX's maximum drawdown of -35.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TILGX and TCLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TILGX	TCLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.16%	-35.33%	-16.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.19%	-4.28%	-10.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.94%	-8.25%	-15.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.86%	-17.31%	-20.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.86%	-17.31%	-20.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	0.00%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.85%	-3.99%	-4.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.50%	0.96%	+3.54%

Volatility

TILGX vs. TCLEX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Fund Institutional Class (TILGX) has a higher volatility of 3.07% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX) at 1.68%. This indicates that TILGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TCLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TILGX	TCLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	1.68%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	4.10%	+7.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	5.06%	+10.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.87%	6.90%	+14.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.61%	7.00%	+14.61%

TILGX vs. TCLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TILGX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than TCLEX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

TILGX vs. TCLEX - Dividend Comparison

TILGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.83%, more than TCLEX's 5.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund	5.11%	5.33%	4.44%	2.95%	5.91%	8.53%	6.93%	3.95%	5.60%	1.72%	3.45%	2.47%
TILGX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Fund Institutional Class	12.83%	13.87%	6.41%	0.22%	0.42%	10.49%	37.04%	4.41%	14.12%	3.83%	1.82%	3.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TILGX and TCLEX in my portfolio?

TILGX and TCLEX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TILGX or TCLEX?

TILGX has higher volatility (3.07%) compared to TCLEX (1.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TILGX dropped -52.16% vs TCLEX's -35.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TCLEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.62), 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.