TISIX vs. TISBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TISIX (TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund) and TISBX (TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund) are both mutual funds - TISIX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TISBX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TISIX returned 2.49%/yr vs 11.09%/yr for TISBX. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. TISIX charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TISBX.

Performance

TISIX vs. TISBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). 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 TISBX's 18.69% return. Over the past 10 years, TISIX has underperformed TISBX with an annualized return of 2.49%, while TISBX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.09% 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%

TISBX

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 5.00%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 17.39%
• 1Y: 41.07%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 6.67%
• 10Y*: 11.09%

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

TISIX vs. TISBX - 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%
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	18.69%	12.72%	11.60%	17.07%	-20.31%	14.85%	20.14%	25.61%	-10.99%	13.14%

Correlation

The correlation between TISIX and TISBX is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2006	-0.13

The correlation between TISIX and TISBX shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.15 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TISIX vs. TISBX — 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

TISBX

TISBX Risk / Return Rank: 64
TISBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
TISBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
TISBX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
TISBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
TISBX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. TISBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). 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	TISBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	2.28	+0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.68	3.12	+1.56
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.37	+0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.71	3.99	-0.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.27	14.14	+1.13
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. TISBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the TISBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISIX and TISBX, 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	TISBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	2.28	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.25	0.30	+0.96
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.40	0.48	+0.93
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.45	0.39	+1.06

Drawdowns

TISIX vs. TISBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISIX drawdown since its inception was -5.31%, smaller than the maximum TISBX drawdown of -56.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISIX and TISBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISIX	TISBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-56.50%	+51.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	-10.95%	+9.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.17%	-27.44%	+26.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.31%	-31.89%	+26.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.31%	-41.69%	+36.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.13%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.50%	-9.69%	+9.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	3.08%	-2.80%

Volatility

TISIX vs. TISBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) is 0.65%, while TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that TISIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISIX	TISBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.65%	5.59%	-4.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.42%	13.58%	-12.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86%	19.16%	-17.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.04%	22.55%	-20.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.78%	23.44%	-21.66%

TISIX vs. TISBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISIX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than TISBX'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

TISIX vs. TISBX - Dividend Comparison

TISIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, more than TISBX's 3.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	3.47%	4.12%	6.82%	3.09%	1.97%	8.96%	2.65%	5.16%	9.29%	4.49%	4.03%	4.77%
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 TISBX in my portfolio?

TISIX and TISBX have a correlation of 0.15, 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 TISBX?

TISBX has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to TISIX (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISIX dropped -5.31% vs TISBX's -56.50%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 2.28), 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.