TLLIX vs. VUG
Compare and contrast key facts about TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).
TLLIX is managed by TIAA Investments. It was launched on Sep 29, 2009. VUG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
TLLIX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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TLLIX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund | -4.26% | 20.75% | 15.17% | 20.53% | -17.52% | 17.12% | 17.20% | 26.04% | -7.05% | 19.20% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | -10.37% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TLLIX achieves a -4.26% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -10.37% return. Over the past 10 years, TLLIX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 10.65%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.03% annualized return.
TLLIX
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- -8.27%
- YTD
- -4.26%
- 6M
- -1.50%
- 1Y
- 16.12%
- 3Y*
- 14.53%
- 5Y*
- 8.19%
- 10Y*
- 10.65%
VUG
- 1D
- 4.00%
- 1M
- -5.12%
- YTD
- -10.37%
- 6M
- -8.73%
- 1Y
- 18.30%
- 3Y*
- 21.15%
- 5Y*
- 11.43%
- 10Y*
- 16.03%
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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%.
Return for Risk
TLLIX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
TLLIX
VUG
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.
| TLLIX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.08 | 0.81 | +0.27 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.58 | 1.31 | +0.27 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.18 | +0.05 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.27 | 1.11 | +0.16 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.02 | 3.96 | +2.07 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| TLLIX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 0.81 | +0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 | 0.52 | +0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.69 | 0.75 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.68 | 0.57 | +0.11 |
Correlation
The correlation between TLLIX and VUG is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
TLLIX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
TLLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, more than VUG's 0.46% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund | 3.26% | 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 | 0.46% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TLLIX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -31.41% | -50.68% | +19.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.75% | -16.53% | +5.78% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.79% | -13.20% | +4.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.19% | -7.13% | +2.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.38% | 4.66% | -2.28% |
Volatility
TLLIX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) is 4.68%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.00%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| TLLIX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.68% | 7.00% | -2.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.51% | 12.65% | -4.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.13% | 22.68% | -7.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.37% | 22.23% | -7.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.46% | 21.38% | -5.92% |