TLLIX vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both funds - TLLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, TLLIX returned 12.19%/yr vs 18.28%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLLIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

TLLIX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLLIX achieves a 11.50% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 5.76% return. Over the past 10 years, TLLIX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 12.19%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.28% annualized return.

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%

VUG

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: -1.87%
• YTD: 5.76%
• 6M: 5.17%
• 1Y: 24.00%
• 3Y*: 23.62%
• 5Y*: 13.40%
• 10Y*: 18.28%

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

TLLIX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.76%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between TLLIX and VUG is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2009	0.91

The correlation between TLLIX and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLLIX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 37
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

TLLIX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	TLLIX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	1.44	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.06	1.97	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.25	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	1.46	+1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.31	4.99	+8.32

TLLIX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLLIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLLIX and VUG, 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

TLLIX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLLIX drawdown since its inception was -31.41%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLLIX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLLIX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.41%	-50.68%	+19.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.79%	-16.53%	+7.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.90%	-22.85%	+7.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.38%	-35.61%	+10.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.41%	-35.61%	+4.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-4.86%	+4.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-7.09%	+2.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	4.82%	-2.81%

Volatility

TLLIX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) is 4.91%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 6.55%. This indicates that TLLIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLLIX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.91%	6.55%	-1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.00%	13.32%	-3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.07%	16.80%	-4.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.58%	22.36%	-7.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.56%	21.53%	-5.97%

TLLIX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLLIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% 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

TLLIX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

TLLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, more than VUG's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.39%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLLIX and VUG in my portfolio?

TLLIX and VUG have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLLIX or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (6.55%) compared to TLLIX (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLLIX dropped -31.41% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.44), 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.