TLFIX vs. TIREX

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

TLFIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund) and TIREX (TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - TLFIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TIREX is a REIT fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TLFIX returned 6.97%/yr vs 6.88%/yr for TIREX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TLFIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for TIREX.

Performance

TLFIX vs. TIREX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund (TLFIX) and TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class (TIREX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLFIX achieves a 4.95% return, which is significantly lower than TIREX's 13.59% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TLFIX having a 6.97% annualized return and TIREX not far behind at 6.88%.

TLFIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 4.95%
• 6M: 4.54%
• 1Y: 11.70%
• 3Y*: 10.65%
• 5Y*: 4.92%
• 10Y*: 6.97%

TIREX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 13.59%
• 6M: 13.08%
• 1Y: 16.68%
• 3Y*: 10.79%
• 5Y*: 2.13%
• 10Y*: 6.88%

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

TLFIX vs. TIREX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLFIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund	4.95%	12.94%	8.04%	12.24%	-13.81%	7.83%	12.58%	16.71%	-3.31%	10.10%
TIREX TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class	13.59%	2.10%	5.30%	12.16%	-28.74%	39.39%	1.29%	31.09%	-4.06%	11.73%

Correlation

The correlation between TLFIX and TIREX is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2009	0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between TLFIX and TIREX has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TLFIX vs. TIREX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLFIX

TLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 69
TLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
TLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
TLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
TLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

TIREX

TIREX Risk / Return Rank: 30
TIREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
TIREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
TIREX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
TIREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
TIREX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

TLFIX vs. TIREX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund (TLFIX) and TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class (TIREX). 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.

	TLFIX	TIREX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.23	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	1.73	+1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.22	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.61	1.92	+0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.32	6.60	+4.73

TLFIX vs. TIREX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLFIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the TIREX Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLFIX and TIREX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TLFIX vs. TIREX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLFIX drawdown since its inception was -19.10%, smaller than the maximum TIREX drawdown of -74.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLFIX and TIREX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLFIX	TIREX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.10%	-74.18%	+55.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.76%	-8.55%	+3.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.64%	-17.95%	+6.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.10%	-35.67%	+16.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.10%	-39.26%	+20.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-2.38%	+1.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-13.46%	+10.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	2.52%	-1.43%

Volatility

TLFIX vs. TIREX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund (TLFIX) is 2.58%, while TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class (TIREX) has a volatility of 5.22%. This indicates that TLFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TIREX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLFIX	TIREX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.58%	5.22%	-2.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.21%	10.34%	-5.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.18%	13.58%	-7.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.96%	18.87%	-9.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.48%	20.18%	-11.70%

TLFIX vs. TIREX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLFIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than TIREX's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLFIX vs. TIREX - Dividend Comparison

TLFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.63%, more than TIREX's 2.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TIREX TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class	2.42%	3.56%	3.08%	2.71%	5.13%	3.07%	1.80%	6.18%	3.54%	7.20%	4.16%	5.65%
TLFIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund	7.63%	8.00%	7.99%	4.01%	3.39%	5.16%	2.71%	2.44%	3.23%	0.17%	2.42%	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLFIX and TIREX in my portfolio?

TLFIX and TIREX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLFIX or TIREX?

TIREX has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to TLFIX (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLFIX dropped -19.10% vs TIREX's -74.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.23), 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.