TLSTX vs. AUEIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLSTX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund) and AUEIX (AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, TLSTX returned 13.01%/yr vs 6.90%/yr for AUEIX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLSTX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for AUEIX.

Performance

TLSTX vs. AUEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLSTX achieves a 11.67% return, which is significantly higher than AUEIX's 7.03% return.

TLSTX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 11.56%
• 1Y: 28.61%
• 3Y*: 22.17%
• 5Y*: 13.01%
• 10Y*: —

AUEIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.77%
• YTD: 7.03%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 8.16%
• 3Y*: 11.85%
• 5Y*: 6.90%
• 10Y*: 11.02%

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

TLSTX vs. AUEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TLSTX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund	11.67%	17.08%	23.66%	25.90%	-19.24%	25.61%	20.74%	15.48%
AUEIX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund	7.03%	6.95%	13.85%	9.49%	-13.81%	23.52%	13.10%	14.17%

Correlation

The correlation between TLSTX and AUEIX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
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 AUEIX has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TLSTX vs. AUEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLSTX

TLSTX Risk / Return Rank: 70
TLSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
TLSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
TLSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
TLSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
TLSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

AUEIX

AUEIX Risk / Return Rank: 15
AUEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
AUEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
AUEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
AUEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
AUEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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. AUEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX). 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	AUEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	1.05	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	1.55	+1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.18	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	1.40	+1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.40	4.69	+10.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLSTX vs. AUEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is higher than the AUEIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLSTX and AUEIX, 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

	TLSTX	AUEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	1.05	+1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.53	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.86	-0.05

Drawdowns

TLSTX vs. AUEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLSTX drawdown since its inception was -34.91%, which is greater than AUEIX's maximum drawdown of -30.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLSTX and AUEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLSTX	AUEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.91%	-30.82%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-5.91%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-10.27%	-9.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.12%	-22.08%	-3.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.50%	-3.42%	-2.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.77%	+0.15%

Volatility

TLSTX vs. AUEIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) has a higher volatility of 2.93% compared to AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX) at 1.90%. This indicates that TLSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AUEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLSTX	AUEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	1.90%	+1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.14%	5.60%	+3.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.13%	7.91%	+4.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.94%	12.99%	+3.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.07%	15.19%	+4.88%

TLSTX vs. AUEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLSTX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than AUEIX's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLSTX vs. AUEIX - Dividend Comparison

TLSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.91%, less than AUEIX's 21.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AUEIX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund	21.21%	22.70%	24.31%	24.28%	10.26%	2.54%	1.29%	1.12%	1.67%	2.36%	1.99%	6.18%
TLSTX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund	4.91%	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 AUEIX in my portfolio?

TLSTX and AUEIX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLSTX or AUEIX?

TLSTX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to AUEIX (1.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLSTX dropped -34.91% vs AUEIX's -30.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.05), 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.