TISPX vs. TISIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TISPX (TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund) and TISIX (TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - TISPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TISIX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TISPX returned 15.40%/yr vs 2.49%/yr for TISIX. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. TISPX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for TISIX.

Performance

TISPX vs. TISIX - 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 Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TISPX achieves a 11.68% return, which is significantly higher than TISIX's 0.90% return. Over the past 10 years, TISPX has outperformed TISIX with an annualized return of 15.40%, while TISIX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.49% annualized return.

TISPX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 11.68%
• 6M: 11.68%
• 1Y: 28.88%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 14.23%
• 10Y*: 15.40%

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%

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

TISPX vs. TISIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	11.68%	17.79%	24.94%	26.22%	-18.13%	28.66%	18.34%	31.44%	-4.52%	19.58%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between TISPX and TISIX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
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	-0.14

The correlation between TISPX and TISIX shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (all time) to 0.16 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TISPX vs. TISIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TISPX

TISPX Risk / Return Rank: 73
TISPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
TISPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
TISPX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
TISPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
TISPX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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

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. TISIX - 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 Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX). 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	TISIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	2.35	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	4.68	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.62	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	3.71	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.66	15.27	+0.39
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. TISIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the TISIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISPX and TISIX, 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	TISIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	2.35	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	1.25	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	1.40	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	1.45	-0.82

Drawdowns

TISPX vs. TISIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISPX drawdown since its inception was -55.16%, which is greater than TISIX's maximum drawdown of -5.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISPX and TISIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISPX	TISIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.16%	-5.31%	-49.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-1.17%	-7.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.74%	-1.17%	-17.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.48%	-5.31%	-19.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.75%	-5.31%	-28.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.10%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-0.50%	-6.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	0.28%	+1.62%

Volatility

TISPX vs. TISIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) has a higher volatility of 2.82% compared to TIAA-CREF Short Term Bond Fund (TISIX) at 0.65%. This indicates that TISPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TISIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISPX	TISIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	0.65%	+2.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.98%	1.42%	+7.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.88%	1.86%	+10.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	2.04%	+14.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	1.78%	+16.29%

TISPX vs. TISIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISPX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than TISIX's 0.26% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TISPX vs. TISIX - Dividend Comparison

TISPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, less than TISIX's 4.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	2.10%	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 TISIX in my portfolio?

TISPX and TISIX have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TISPX or TISIX?

TISPX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to TISIX (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISPX dropped -55.16% vs TISIX's -5.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 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.