TISBX vs. RGAGX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TISBX (TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund) and RGAGX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6) are both mutual funds - TISBX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while RGAGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, TISBX returned 11.33%/yr vs 16.44%/yr for RGAGX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TISBX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RGAGX.

Performance

TISBX vs. RGAGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6 (RGAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TISBX achieves a 20.70% return, which is significantly higher than RGAGX's 9.46% return. Over the past 10 years, TISBX has underperformed RGAGX with an annualized return of 11.33%, while RGAGX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.44% annualized return.

TISBX

• 1D: 2.09%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 20.70%
• 6M: 17.17%
• 1Y: 42.96%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 7.41%
• 10Y*: 11.33%

RGAGX

• 1D: 1.79%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 9.46%
• 6M: 8.84%
• 1Y: 25.01%
• 3Y*: 24.02%
• 5Y*: 12.33%
• 10Y*: 16.44%

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

TISBX vs. RGAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	20.70%	12.72%	11.60%	17.07%	-20.31%	14.85%	20.14%	25.61%	-10.99%	13.14%
RGAGX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6	9.46%	20.08%	28.41%	37.66%	-30.53%	19.67%	38.30%	29.22%	-2.88%	26.53%

Correlation

The correlation between TISBX and RGAGX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2009	0.84

The correlation between TISBX and RGAGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TISBX vs. RGAGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TISBX

TISBX Risk / Return Rank: 69
TISBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
TISBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
TISBX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
TISBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
TISBX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

RGAGX

RGAGX Risk / Return Rank: 30
RGAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
RGAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
RGAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
RGAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
RGAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

TISBX vs. RGAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6 (RGAGX). 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.

	TISBX	RGAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.52	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	2.09	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.28	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.94	1.80	+2.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.90	6.89	+7.01

TISBX vs. RGAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is higher than the RGAGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISBX and RGAGX, 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

TISBX vs. RGAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISBX drawdown since its inception was -56.50%, which is greater than RGAGX's maximum drawdown of -36.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISBX and RGAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISBX	RGAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.50%	-36.19%	-20.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.95%	-13.71%	+2.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.44%	-21.54%	-5.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.89%	-36.19%	+4.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.69%	-36.19%	-5.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.03%	+1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.67%	-5.48%	-4.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	3.57%	-0.48%

Volatility

TISBX vs. RGAGX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6 (RGAGX) have volatilities of 6.74% and 6.90%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISBX	RGAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.74%	6.90%	-0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.33%	13.12%	+1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.71%	16.27%	+3.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.64%	20.42%	+2.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.48%	19.78%	+3.70%

TISBX vs. RGAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISBX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than RGAGX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

TISBX vs. RGAGX - Dividend Comparison

TISBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.42%, less than RGAGX's 10.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RGAGX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6	10.04%	10.99%	9.29%	7.70%	4.44%	8.49%	4.57%	7.93%	12.36%	7.34%	6.95%	9.22%
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	3.42%	4.12%	6.82%	3.09%	1.97%	8.96%	2.65%	5.16%	9.29%	4.49%	4.03%	4.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TISBX and RGAGX in my portfolio?

TISBX and RGAGX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TISBX or RGAGX?

RGAGX has higher volatility (6.90%) compared to TISBX (6.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISBX dropped -56.50% vs RGAGX's -36.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.52), 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.