TISIX vs. SNSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TISIX (TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund) and SNSAX (SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, TISIX returned 2.49%/yr vs 2.86%/yr for SNSAX. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TISIX charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SNSAX.

Performance

TISIX vs. SNSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) and SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TISIX achieves a 0.90% return, which is significantly lower than SNSAX's 1.86% return. Over the past 10 years, TISIX has underperformed SNSAX with an annualized return of 2.49%, while SNSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.86% annualized return.

TISIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.90%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: 4.32%
• 3Y*: 4.88%
• 5Y*: 2.54%
• 10Y*: 2.49%

SNSAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 1.86%
• 6M: 2.07%
• 1Y: 5.44%
• 3Y*: 5.47%
• 5Y*: 2.97%
• 10Y*: 2.86%

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

TISIX vs. SNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TISIX TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund	0.90%	5.91%	4.59%	5.07%	-3.32%	0.18%	3.76%	4.43%	1.25%	1.88%
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	1.86%	6.29%	5.12%	4.67%	-3.55%	2.35%	2.72%	6.25%	-0.26%	2.81%

Correlation

The correlation between TISIX and SNSAX is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2006	0.31

Over the past year, TISIX and SNSAX have become more correlated (0.56) than their long-term average of 0.31, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

TISIX vs. SNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TISIX

TISIX Risk / Return Rank: 81
TISIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
TISIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
TISIX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
TISIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
TISIX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

SNSAX

SNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 89
SNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

TISIX vs. SNSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) and SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX). 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.

	TISIX	SNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	3.12	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.68	4.81	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.68	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.71	3.87	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.27	15.62	-0.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TISIX vs. SNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the SNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISIX and SNSAX, 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

	TISIX	SNSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	3.12	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.25	1.07	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.40	1.12	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.45	1.16	+0.28

Drawdowns

TISIX vs. SNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISIX drawdown since its inception was -5.31%, smaller than the maximum SNSAX drawdown of -12.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISIX and SNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISIX	SNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-12.22%	+6.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	-1.41%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.17%	-1.96%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.31%	-6.87%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.31%	-6.87%	+1.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.50%	-1.83%	+1.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	0.35%	-0.07%

Volatility

TISIX vs. SNSAX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) has a higher volatility of 0.65% compared to SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) at 0.49%. This indicates that TISIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SNSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISIX	SNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.65%	0.49%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.42%	1.30%	+0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86%	1.75%	+0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.04%	2.79%	-0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.78%	2.57%	-0.79%

TISIX vs. SNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISIX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than SNSAX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

TISIX vs. SNSAX - Dividend Comparison

TISIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, more than SNSAX's 3.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	3.12%	3.19%	4.20%	3.08%	3.74%	3.47%	1.88%	2.40%	1.81%	1.85%	1.19%	1.21%
TISIX TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund	4.34%	4.34%	3.57%	3.18%	2.10%	1.63%	2.14%	2.87%	2.21%	1.87%	1.86%	1.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TISIX and SNSAX in my portfolio?

TISIX and SNSAX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TISIX or SNSAX?

TISIX has higher volatility (0.65%) compared to SNSAX (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISIX dropped -5.31% vs SNSAX's -12.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SNSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.12 vs 2.35), 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.