TISPX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TISPX (TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, TISPX returned 13.86%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for VFFSX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TISPX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

TISPX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TISPX having a 10.87% return and VFFSX slightly higher at 10.88%.

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%

VFFSX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.17%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 6M: 10.79%
• 1Y: 28.02%
• 3Y*: 22.45%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

TISPX vs. VFFSX - 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%	18.58%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	10.88%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between TISPX and VFFSX is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	1.00

The correlation between TISPX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TISPX vs. VFFSX — 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

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.37	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	3.24	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	3.17	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.76	14.79	-0.03
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. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISPX and VFFSX, 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	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.37	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.83	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.85	-0.23

Drawdowns

TISPX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISPX drawdown since its inception was -55.16%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISPX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISPX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.16%	-33.82%	-21.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-8.90%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.74%	-18.75%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.48%	-24.51%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.74%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-4.50%	-2.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	1.90%	0.00%

Volatility

TISPX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) have volatilities of 2.92% and 2.93%, 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	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	2.93%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.01%	9.00%	+0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	11.89%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	16.90%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	18.41%	-0.34%

TISPX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISPX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% 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

TISPX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

TISPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, more than VFFSX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.04%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TISPX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, TISPX and VFFSX 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 VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to TISPX (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISPX dropped -55.16% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

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