TISPX vs. TIEIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TISPX (TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund) and TIEIX (TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TISPX returned 15.31%/yr vs 14.81%/yr for TIEIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

TISPX vs. TIEIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TISPX having a 10.87% return and TIEIX slightly lower at 10.86%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TISPX having a 15.31% annualized return and TIEIX not far behind at 14.81%.

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%

TIEIX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 27.57%
• 3Y*: 21.88%
• 5Y*: 12.68%
• 10Y*: 14.81%

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

TISPX vs. TIEIX - 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%
TIEIX TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund	10.86%	17.04%	23.71%	25.92%	-19.18%	25.64%	20.82%	30.89%	-5.27%	19.05%

Correlation

The correlation between TISPX and TIEIX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2002	0.99

The correlation between TISPX and TIEIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TISPX vs. TIEIX — 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

TIEIX

TIEIX Risk / Return Rank: 63
TIEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
TIEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
TIEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
TIEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
TIEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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. TIEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) and TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund (TIEIX). 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	TIEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.28	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	3.13	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.41	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	3.15	+0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.76	14.46	+0.30
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. TIEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the TIEIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISPX and TIEIX, 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	TIEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.28	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.74	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.81	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.44	+0.18

Drawdowns

TISPX vs. TIEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISPX drawdown since its inception was -55.16%, roughly equal to the maximum TIEIX drawdown of -55.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISPX and TIEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISPX	TIEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.16%	-55.55%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-8.84%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.74%	-19.29%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.48%	-25.06%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.75%	-34.90%	+1.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.76%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-10.30%	+3.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	1.92%	-0.02%

Volatility

TISPX vs. TIEIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) and TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund (TIEIX) have volatilities of 2.92% and 3.06%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISPX	TIEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	3.06%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.01%	9.20%	-0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	12.21%	-0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	17.31%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	18.40%	-0.33%

TISPX vs. TIEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both TISPX and TIEIX have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TISPX vs. TIEIX - Dividend Comparison

TISPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, less than TIEIX's 2.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TIEIX TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund	2.16%	2.39%	1.63%	1.47%	1.83%	2.08%	1.43%	1.99%	2.45%	0.52%	2.45%	1.27%
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 TIEIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, TISPX and TIEIX 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 TIEIX?

TIEIX has higher volatility (3.06%) compared to TISPX (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISPX dropped -55.16% vs TIEIX's -55.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 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.