TISPX vs. PJFAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TISPX (TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund) and PJFAX (PGIM Jennison Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - TISPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while PJFAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by PGIM. Over the past 10 years, TISPX returned 15.31%/yr vs 20.13%/yr for PJFAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TISPX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.97%/yr for PJFAX.

Performance

TISPX vs. PJFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) and PGIM Jennison Growth Fund (PJFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TISPX achieves a 10.87% return, which is significantly higher than PJFAX's 7.82% return. Over the past 10 years, TISPX has underperformed PJFAX with an annualized return of 15.31%, while PJFAX has yielded a comparatively higher 20.13% annualized return.

TISPX

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 4.18%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 27.92%
• 3Y*: 22.39%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 15.31%

PJFAX

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 6.04%
• YTD: 7.82%
• 6M: 6.49%
• 1Y: 19.18%
• 3Y*: 28.71%
• 5Y*: 14.67%
• 10Y*: 20.13%

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

TISPX vs. PJFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	10.87%	17.79%	24.94%	26.22%	-18.13%	28.66%	18.34%	31.44%	-4.52%	19.58%
PJFAX PGIM Jennison Growth Fund	7.82%	14.53%	48.10%	52.76%	-37.89%	15.65%	55.66%	45.04%	-1.24%	36.41%

Correlation

The correlation between TISPX and PJFAX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2002	0.90

The correlation between TISPX and PJFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TISPX vs. PJFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TISPX

TISPX Risk / Return Rank: 66
TISPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
TISPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
TISPX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
TISPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
TISPX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

PJFAX

PJFAX Risk / Return Rank: 15
PJFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
PJFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
PJFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
PJFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PJFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

TISPX vs. PJFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) and PGIM Jennison Growth Fund (PJFAX). 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.

	TISPX	PJFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.22	+1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	1.72	+1.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.22	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	1.12	+2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.76	3.56	+11.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TISPX vs. PJFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the PJFAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISPX and PJFAX, 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

	TISPX	PJFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	1.22	+1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.60	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.84	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.51	+0.11

Drawdowns

TISPX vs. PJFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISPX drawdown since its inception was -55.16%, smaller than the maximum PJFAX drawdown of -64.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISPX and PJFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISPX	PJFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.16%	-64.07%	+8.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-17.76%	+8.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.74%	-24.05%	+5.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.48%	-43.56%	+19.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.75%	-43.56%	+9.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-1.92%	+1.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-20.35%	+13.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	5.55%	-3.65%

Volatility

TISPX vs. PJFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) is 2.92%, while PGIM Jennison Growth Fund (PJFAX) has a volatility of 4.17%. This indicates that TISPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PJFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISPX	PJFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	4.17%	-1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.01%	12.40%	-3.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	16.31%	-4.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	24.69%	-7.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	24.01%	-5.94%

TISPX vs. PJFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISPX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PJFAX's 0.97% expense ratio.

Dividends

TISPX vs. PJFAX - Dividend Comparison

TISPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, less than PJFAX's 12.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PJFAX PGIM Jennison Growth Fund	12.44%	13.42%	24.62%	7.23%	2.77%	14.67%	9.02%	16.27%	6.06%	5.85%	4.12%	6.90%
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	2.12%	2.35%	1.52%	1.48%	1.91%	1.77%	1.53%	2.16%	2.94%	0.36%	2.39%	0.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TISPX and PJFAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, TISPX and PJFAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TISPX or PJFAX?

PJFAX has higher volatility (4.17%) compared to TISPX (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISPX dropped -55.16% vs PJFAX's -64.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.22), 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.