TLGAX vs. TLLIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TLGAX (Timothy Plan Large/Mid Cap Growth Fund) and TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) are both mutual funds - TLGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Timothy Plan, while TLLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TLGAX returned 13.65%/yr vs 12.19%/yr for TLLIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLGAX charges 1.61%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLLIX.

Performance

TLGAX vs. TLLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Timothy Plan Large/Mid Cap Growth Fund (TLGAX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLGAX achieves a 20.25% return, which is significantly higher than TLLIX's 11.50% return. Over the past 10 years, TLGAX has outperformed TLLIX with an annualized return of 13.65%, while TLLIX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.19% annualized return.

TLGAX

• 1D: 2.14%
• 1M: 4.88%
• YTD: 20.25%
• 6M: 18.57%
• 1Y: 30.81%
• 3Y*: 21.62%
• 5Y*: 13.58%
• 10Y*: 13.65%

TLLIX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 11.50%
• 6M: 11.32%
• 1Y: 27.13%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 12.19%

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

TLGAX vs. TLLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLGAX Timothy Plan Large/Mid Cap Growth Fund	20.25%	11.60%	22.24%	24.16%	-21.44%	29.00%	22.21%	30.73%	-11.48%	16.90%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	11.50%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	17.20%	26.04%	-7.05%	19.20%

Correlation

The correlation between TLGAX and TLLIX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2009	0.92

The correlation between TLGAX and TLLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLGAX vs. TLLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLGAX

TLGAX Risk / Return Rank: 55
TLGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
TLGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
TLGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
TLGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
TLGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

TLLIX

TLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 69
TLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
TLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
TLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
TLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

TLGAX vs. TLLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Timothy Plan Large/Mid Cap Growth Fund (TLGAX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). 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.

	TLGAX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.23	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	3.06	-0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.41	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	3.06	+0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.63	13.31	-0.68

TLGAX vs. TLLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLGAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the TLLIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLGAX and TLLIX, 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

TLGAX vs. TLLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLGAX drawdown since its inception was -61.24%, which is greater than TLLIX's maximum drawdown of -31.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLGAX and TLLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLGAX	TLLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.24%	-31.41%	-29.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.08%	-8.79%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.12%	-14.90%	-6.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.82%	-25.38%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.72%	-31.41%	-4.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-0.46%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.82%	-4.15%	-14.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.43%	2.01%	+0.42%

Volatility

TLGAX vs. TLLIX - Volatility Comparison

Timothy Plan Large/Mid Cap Growth Fund (TLGAX) has a higher volatility of 7.81% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) at 4.91%. This indicates that TLGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLGAX	TLLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.81%	4.91%	+2.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.29%	10.00%	+4.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.52%	12.07%	+5.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.35%	14.58%	+4.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.71%	15.56%	+4.15%

TLGAX vs. TLLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLGAX has a 1.61% expense ratio, which is higher than TLLIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLGAX vs. TLLIX - Dividend Comparison

TLGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.47%, more than TLLIX's 2.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TLGAX Timothy Plan Large/Mid Cap Growth Fund	10.47%	12.59%	6.98%	5.89%	10.34%	5.99%	1.69%	4.03%	5.81%	2.54%	1.21%	10.79%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	2.80%	3.12%	2.26%	2.17%	2.35%	2.29%	1.71%	2.25%	2.67%	0.15%	2.57%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLGAX and TLLIX in my portfolio?

TLGAX and TLLIX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLGAX or TLLIX?

TLGAX has higher volatility (7.81%) compared to TLLIX (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLGAX dropped -61.24% vs TLLIX's -31.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.76), 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.