TLSTX vs. AFNIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TLSTX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund) and AFNIX (AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund Class I) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLSTX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for AFNIX.

Performance

TLSTX vs. AFNIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund Class I (AFNIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

TLSTX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.02%
• YTD: 11.42%
• 6M: 11.78%
• 1Y: 29.19%
• 3Y*: 22.08%
• 5Y*: 12.86%
• 10Y*: —

AFNIX

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TLSTX vs. AFNIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TLSTX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund	11.42%	17.08%	23.66%	25.90%	-19.24%	25.61%	20.74%	15.48%
AFNIX AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund Class I	1.74%	11.36%	16.23%	6.59%	-8.77%	25.23%	6.60%	12.80%

Correlation

The correlation between TLSTX and AFNIX is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2019	0.85

Over the past year, the correlation between TLSTX and AFNIX has dropped to 0.60 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TLSTX vs. AFNIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLSTX

TLSTX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
TLSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
TLSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
TLSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
TLSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

TLSTX vs. AFNIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund Class I (AFNIX). 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.

	TLSTX	AFNIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.35	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.47	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TLSTX	AFNIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	TLSTX	AFNIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.51%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TLSTX	AFNIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.15%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.16%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.94%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.08%	—	—

TLSTX vs. AFNIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLSTX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than AFNIX's 0.83% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLSTX vs. AFNIX - Dividend Comparison

TLSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.92%, less than AFNIX's 31.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFNIX AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund Class I	31.18%	14.13%	6.88%	3.43%	4.61%	1.78%	1.75%	2.13%	2.04%	1.72%	1.79%	2.66%
TLSTX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund	4.92%	5.48%	2.73%	2.22%	3.82%	1.38%	1.84%	2.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLSTX and AFNIX in my portfolio?

TLSTX and AFNIX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.