TLLVX vs. TISPX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

TLLVX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund) and TISPX (TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - TLLVX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by TIAA, while TISPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA. Over the past 5 years, TLLVX returned 12.77%/yr vs 13.09%/yr for TISPX. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. TLLVX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TISPX.

Performance

TLLVX vs. TISPX - 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 TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLLVX achieves a 19.60% return, which is significantly higher than TISPX's 11.74% return.

TLLVX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 3.47%
• 6M: 13.54%
• YTD: 19.60%
• 1Y: 31.39%
• 3Y*: 19.34%
• 5Y*: 12.77%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.03%

TISPX

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: 1.63%
• 6M: 10.48%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 1Y: 21.40%
• 3Y*: 20.81%
• 5Y*: 13.09%
• 10Y*: 14.92%
• ALL TIME*: 11.63%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
TLLVX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

TLLVX vs. TISPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TLLVX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund	19.60%	17.31%	14.75%	14.29%	-7.21%	26.84%	3.99%	14.67%
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	11.74%	17.79%	24.94%	26.22%	-18.13%	28.66%	18.34%	13.54%

Correlation

The correlation between TLLVX and TISPX is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2019	0.84

The correlation between TLLVX and TISPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TLLVX vs. TISPX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TLLVX

TLLVX Risk / Return Rank: 95
TLLVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
TLLVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
TLLVX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
TLLVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
TLLVX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

TISPX

TISPX Risk / Return Rank: 75
TISPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TISPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
TISPX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
TISPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
TISPX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TLLVX vs. TISPX - 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 TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX). 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.

	TLLVX	TISPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	1.82	+1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.04	2.51	+1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.33	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.45	2.63	+1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.58	11.27	+7.31

TLLVX vs. TISPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLLVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is higher than the TISPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLLVX and TISPX, 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

TLLVX vs. TISPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLLVX drawdown since its inception was -38.31%, smaller than the maximum TISPX drawdown of -55.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLLVX and TISPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLLVX	TISPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.31%	-55.16%	+16.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.38%	-8.90%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.75%	-18.74%	+3.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.32%	-24.48%	+4.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.61%	-6.68%	+2.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.77%	2.07%	-0.30%

Volatility

TLLVX vs. TISPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund (TLLVX) is 3.14%, while TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) has a volatility of 3.81%. This indicates that TLLVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLLVX	TISPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	3.81%	-0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.83%	10.19%	-1.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.39%	12.87%	-1.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.62%	17.02%	-2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.37%	18.08%	+1.29%

TLLVX vs. TISPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLLVX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than TISPX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLLVX vs. TISPX - Dividend Comparison

TLLVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.06%, more than TISPX's 2.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	2.10%	2.35%	1.52%	1.48%	1.91%	1.77%	1.53%	2.16%	2.94%	0.36%	2.39%	0.65%
TLLVX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Large-Cap Value Fund	7.06%	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 TISPX in my portfolio?

TLLVX and TISPX have a correlation of 0.72, 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 TISPX?

TISPX has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to TLLVX (3.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLLVX dropped -38.31% vs TISPX's -55.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 1.82), 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.