TLLVX vs. BUFBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLLVX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund) and BUFBX (Buffalo Flexible Income Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, TLLVX returned 10.91%/yr vs 11.23%/yr for BUFBX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLLVX charges 0.52%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for BUFBX.

Performance

TLLVX vs. BUFBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund (TLLVX) and Buffalo Flexible Income Fund (BUFBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLLVX achieves a 10.68% return, which is significantly lower than BUFBX's 12.83% return.

TLLVX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 10.68%
• 6M: 11.75%
• 1Y: 25.21%
• 3Y*: 18.47%
• 5Y*: 10.91%
• 10Y*: —

BUFBX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 3.64%
• YTD: 12.83%
• 6M: 12.77%
• 1Y: 19.88%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 11.23%
• 10Y*: 10.00%

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

TLLVX vs. BUFBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TLLVX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund	10.68%	17.31%	14.75%	14.29%	-7.21%	26.84%	3.99%	14.67%
BUFBX Buffalo Flexible Income Fund	12.83%	10.37%	10.26%	7.42%	3.97%	29.97%	-2.27%	9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between TLLVX and BUFBX is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2019	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between TLLVX and BUFBX has dropped to 0.56 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TLLVX vs. BUFBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLLVX

TLLVX Risk / Return Rank: 70
TLLVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
TLLVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
TLLVX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
TLLVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
TLLVX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

BUFBX

BUFBX Risk / Return Rank: 71
BUFBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
BUFBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
BUFBX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
BUFBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
BUFBX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

TLLVX vs. BUFBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund (TLLVX) and Buffalo Flexible Income Fund (BUFBX). 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.

	TLLVX	BUFBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.28	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	3.24	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.40	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	7.18	-3.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.32	17.54	-3.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLLVX vs. BUFBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLLVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the BUFBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLLVX and BUFBX, 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

	TLLVX	BUFBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	2.28	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.84	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.59	+0.09

Drawdowns

TLLVX vs. BUFBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLLVX drawdown since its inception was -38.31%, roughly equal to the maximum BUFBX drawdown of -39.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLLVX and BUFBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLLVX	BUFBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.31%	-39.78%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.38%	-2.83%	-4.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.75%	-12.85%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.32%	-14.67%	-5.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.22%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.71%	-4.72%	+0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	1.16%	+0.66%

Volatility

TLLVX vs. BUFBX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund (TLLVX) and Buffalo Flexible Income Fund (BUFBX) have volatilities of 2.99% and 3.06%, 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

	TLLVX	BUFBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	3.06%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.29%	6.61%	+1.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.82%	8.93%	+1.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.64%	13.40%	+1.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.50%	15.60%	+3.90%

TLLVX vs. BUFBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLLVX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFBX's 1.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLLVX vs. BUFBX - Dividend Comparison

TLLVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.62%, less than BUFBX's 7.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUFBX Buffalo Flexible Income Fund	7.99%	9.10%	3.77%	3.48%	4.16%	5.57%	3.33%	2.73%	6.01%	5.49%	2.39%	3.67%
TLLVX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund	7.62%	8.44%	8.50%	2.97%	5.76%	1.29%	1.80%	6.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLLVX and BUFBX in my portfolio?

TLLVX and BUFBX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLLVX or BUFBX?

BUFBX has higher volatility (3.06%) compared to TLLVX (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLLVX dropped -38.31% vs BUFBX's -39.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.28), 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.