TISCX vs. VSMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TISCX (TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - TISCX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while VSMAX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, TISCX returned 14.46%/yr vs 11.37%/yr for VSMAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TISCX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSMAX.

Performance

TISCX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund (TISCX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TISCX achieves a 13.71% return, which is significantly lower than VSMAX's 14.94% return. Over the past 10 years, TISCX has outperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 14.46%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.37% annualized return.

TISCX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 6.10%
• YTD: 13.71%
• 6M: 14.34%
• 1Y: 26.88%
• 3Y*: 21.09%
• 5Y*: 12.07%
• 10Y*: 14.46%

VSMAX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 14.94%
• 6M: 14.89%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 7.34%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

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

TISCX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TISCX TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund	13.71%	16.51%	18.23%	22.53%	-17.80%	26.54%	20.34%	31.55%	-5.74%	19.01%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	14.94%	8.83%	14.23%	18.17%	-17.61%	17.74%	19.06%	27.36%	-9.33%	16.24%

Correlation

The correlation between TISCX and VSMAX 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	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.91

The correlation between TISCX and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TISCX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TISCX

TISCX Risk / Return Rank: 59
TISCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
TISCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
TISCX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
TISCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TISCX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

VSMAX

VSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VSMAX 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.

TISCX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund (TISCX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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.

	TISCX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.94	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	2.74	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.33	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	3.51	-0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.41	12.97	+0.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TISCX vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISCX and VSMAX, 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

	TISCX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	1.94	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.36	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.53	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.39	+0.03

Drawdowns

TISCX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISCX drawdown since its inception was -54.65%, smaller than the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISCX and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISCX	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.65%	-59.68%	+5.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.76%	-8.97%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.29%	-25.25%	-3.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.29%	-28.14%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.89%	-41.82%	+6.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.09%	-9.70%	-0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	2.43%	-0.35%

Volatility

TISCX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund (TISCX) is 3.05%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) has a volatility of 4.40%. This indicates that TISCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISCX	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	4.40%	-1.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	11.72%	-1.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.79%	16.27%	-3.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.31%	20.71%	-1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.39%	21.57%	-2.18%

TISCX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISCX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TISCX vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

TISCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.82%, more than VSMAX's 1.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TISCX TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund	6.82%	7.75%	16.74%	5.64%	4.99%	9.46%	1.38%	4.84%	9.85%	2.38%	6.84%	3.51%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.18%	1.33%	1.30%	1.56%	1.54%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.49%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TISCX and VSMAX in my portfolio?

TISCX and VSMAX 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, TISCX or VSMAX?

VSMAX has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to TISCX (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISCX dropped -54.65% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.94), 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.