TIMIX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

TIMIX (TIAA-CREF Managed Allocation Fund) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, TIMIX returned 7.90%/yr vs 9.67%/yr for VBAIX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. TIMIX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

TIMIX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Managed Allocation Fund (TIMIX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TIMIX achieves a 4.93% return, which is significantly lower than VBAIX's 5.84% return. Over the past 10 years, TIMIX has underperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 7.90%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.67% annualized return.

TIMIX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: -0.58%
• 6M: 3.06%
• YTD: 4.93%
• 1Y: 12.77%
• 3Y*: 11.40%
• 5Y*: 5.51%
• 10Y*: 7.90%
• ALL TIME*: 6.59%

VBAIX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -0.81%
• 6M: 4.74%
• YTD: 5.84%
• 1Y: 13.39%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: 7.53%
• 10Y*: 9.67%
• ALL TIME*: 7.40%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TIMIX TIAA-CREF Managed Allocation Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

TIMIX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIMIX TIAA-CREF Managed Allocation Fund	4.93%	14.98%	10.47%	16.25%	-16.83%	9.96%	15.40%	20.53%	-6.88%	14.97%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.84%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%

Correlation

The correlation between TIMIX and VBAIX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2006	0.97

The correlation between TIMIX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TIMIX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TIMIX

TIMIX Risk / Return Rank: 41
TIMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
TIMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
TIMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
TIMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
TIMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TIMIX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Managed Allocation Fund (TIMIX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	TIMIX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.45	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	2.07	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.26	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	2.13	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.95	9.09	-2.14

TIMIX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIMIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIMIX and VBAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TIMIX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIMIX drawdown since its inception was -41.37%, which is greater than VBAIX's maximum drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIMIX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIMIX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.37%	-35.82%	-5.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.45%	-5.84%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.44%	-11.57%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.58%	-21.52%	-2.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.64%	-22.77%	-1.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	-1.46%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.43%	-4.40%	-1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	1.36%	+0.36%

Volatility

TIMIX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Managed Allocation Fund (TIMIX) has a higher volatility of 2.82% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) at 2.31%. This indicates that TIMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TIMIX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	2.31%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.78%	6.84%	+0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.26%	8.56%	+0.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.56%	11.19%	-0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.87%	11.25%	-0.38%

TIMIX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIMIX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than VBAIX's 0.04% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TIMIX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

TIMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%, more than VBAIX's 5.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TIMIX TIAA-CREF Managed Allocation Fund	6.61%	7.33%	4.43%	2.78%	7.92%	11.50%	8.51%	5.66%	6.31%	2.56%	4.92%	4.80%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.39%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIMIX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, TIMIX and VBAIX 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, TIMIX or VBAIX?

TIMIX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to VBAIX (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIMIX dropped -41.37% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 1.30), 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.