TISBX vs. TLLIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TISBX (TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund) and TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) are both mutual funds - TISBX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TLLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TISBX returned 11.71%/yr vs 12.47%/yr for TLLIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TISBX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLLIX.

Performance

TISBX vs. TLLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TISBX achieves a 21.71% return, which is significantly higher than TLLIX's 11.37% return. Over the past 10 years, TISBX has underperformed TLLIX with an annualized return of 11.71%, while TLLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.47% annualized return.

TISBX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 21.71%
• 6M: 18.99%
• 1Y: 42.52%
• 3Y*: 19.80%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 11.71%

TLLIX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 1.68%
• YTD: 11.37%
• 6M: 10.74%
• 1Y: 25.99%
• 3Y*: 19.07%
• 5Y*: 10.25%
• 10Y*: 12.47%

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

TISBX vs. TLLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	21.71%	12.72%	11.60%	17.07%	-20.31%	14.85%	20.14%	25.61%	-10.99%	13.14%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	11.37%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	17.20%	26.04%	-7.05%	19.20%

Correlation

The correlation between TISBX and TLLIX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2009	0.87

The correlation between TISBX and TLLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TISBX vs. TLLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TISBX

TISBX Risk / Return Rank: 72
TISBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
TISBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
TISBX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
TISBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
TISBX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

TLLIX

TLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 70
TLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
TLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
TLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
TLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
TLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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. TLLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). 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	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.26	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.09	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.41	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	3.10	+0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.37	13.46	+0.91

TISBX vs. TLLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the TLLIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISBX and TLLIX, 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. TLLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISBX drawdown since its inception was -56.50%, which is greater than TLLIX's maximum drawdown of -31.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISBX and TLLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISBX	TLLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.50%	-31.41%	-25.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.95%	-8.79%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.44%	-14.90%	-12.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.89%	-25.38%	-6.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.69%	-31.41%	-10.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.58%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.67%	-4.15%	-5.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	2.01%	+1.08%

Volatility

TISBX vs. TLLIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) has a higher volatility of 6.39% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) at 4.79%. This indicates that TISBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISBX	TLLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.39%	4.79%	+1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.34%	10.00%	+4.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.76%	12.09%	+7.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.64%	14.58%	+8.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.49%	15.56%	+7.93%

TISBX vs. TLLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISBX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than TLLIX's 0.10% 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

TISBX vs. TLLIX - Dividend Comparison

TISBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%, more than TLLIX's 2.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	3.39%	4.12%	6.82%	3.09%	1.97%	8.96%	2.65%	5.16%	9.29%	4.49%	4.03%	4.77%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	2.80%	3.12%	2.26%	2.17%	2.35%	2.29%	1.71%	2.25%	2.67%	0.15%	2.57%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TISBX and TLLIX in my portfolio?

TISBX and TLLIX have a correlation of 0.83, 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 TLLIX?

TISBX has higher volatility (6.39%) compared to TLLIX (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISBX dropped -56.50% vs TLLIX's -31.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.26), 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.