TISIX vs. VBIRX
TISIX (TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, TISIX returned 2.43%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for VBIRX. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. TISIX charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBIRX.
Performance
TISIX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TISIX achieves a 0.86% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.14% return. Over the past 10 years, TISIX has outperformed VBIRX with an annualized return of 2.43%, while VBIRX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.85% annualized return.
TISIX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -0.30%
- 6M
- 0.60%
- YTD
- 0.86%
- 1Y
- 3.01%
- 3Y*
- 4.72%
- 5Y*
- 2.48%
- 10Y*
- 2.43%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.85%
VBIRX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -0.29%
- 6M
- 0.00%
- YTD
- 0.14%
- 1Y
- 2.10%
- 3Y*
- 4.40%
- 5Y*
- 1.54%
- 10Y*
- 1.85%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.58%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
TISIX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TISIX TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund | 0.86% | 5.91% | 4.59% | 5.07% | -3.32% | 0.18% | 3.76% | 4.43% | 1.25% | 1.88% |
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.14% | 6.09% | 3.75% | 4.87% | -5.63% | -1.20% | 4.69% | 4.86% | 1.37% | 1.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between TISIX and VBIRX is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.83 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.87 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.79 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2006 | 0.79 |
The correlation between TISIX and VBIRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TISIX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank
TISIX
VBIRX
TISIX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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.
| TISIX | VBIRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.64 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.62 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.51 | 1.27 | +0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.17 | 1.98 | +1.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.76 | 5.56 | +7.20 |
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Drawdowns
TISIX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TISIX drawdown since its inception was -5.31%, smaller than the maximum VBIRX drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISIX and VBIRX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TISIX | VBIRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.31% | -8.69% | +3.38% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.17% | -1.54% | +0.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.17% | -1.55% | +0.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.31% | -8.55% | +3.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -5.31% | -8.69% | +3.38% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.30% | -0.79% | +0.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.50% | -0.98% | +0.48% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.29% | 0.55% | -0.26% |
Volatility
TISIX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) is 0.36%, while Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) has a volatility of 0.46%. This indicates that TISIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TISIX | VBIRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.36% | 0.46% | -0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.42% | 1.68% | -0.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.86% | 2.24% | -0.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.05% | 2.98% | -0.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.79% | 2.40% | -0.61% |
TISIX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TISIX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX's 0.06% 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. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison
TISIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more than VBIRX's 3.69% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TISIX TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund | 3.98% | 4.34% | 3.57% | 3.18% | 2.10% | 1.63% | 2.14% | 2.87% | 2.21% | 1.87% | 1.86% | 1.72% |
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.69% | 3.83% | 3.37% | 2.41% | 1.46% | 1.22% | 1.77% | 2.24% | 2.03% | 1.66% | 1.50% | 1.41% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TISIX and VBIRX 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.
VBIRX has higher volatility (0.46%) compared to TISIX (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISIX dropped -5.31% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.
TISIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.37), 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.
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