TLSTX vs. SSSYX
TLSTX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund) and SSSYX (State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K) are both mutual funds - TLSTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while SSSYX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, TLSTX returned 11.94%/yr vs 13.01%/yr for SSSYX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TLSTX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SSSYX.
Performance
TLSTX vs. SSSYX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TLSTX achieves a 10.56% return, which is significantly higher than SSSYX's 9.95% return.
TLSTX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -1.00%
- 6M
- 10.56%
- YTD
- 10.56%
- 1Y
- 21.88%
- 3Y*
- 20.17%
- 5Y*
- 11.94%
- 10Y*
- —
SSSYX
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- -1.56%
- 6M
- 9.95%
- YTD
- 9.95%
- 1Y
- 21.56%
- 3Y*
- 20.49%
- 5Y*
- 13.01%
- 10Y*
- 45.26%
TLSTX vs. SSSYX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLSTX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund | 10.56% | 17.08% | 23.66% | 25.90% | -19.24% | 25.61% | 20.74% | 15.48% |
SSSYX State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K | 9.95% | 17.81% | 24.99% | 26.27% | -18.16% | 28.51% | 1,083.11% | 13.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between TLSTX and SSSYX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2019 | 0.97 |
The correlation between TLSTX and SSSYX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TLSTX vs. SSSYX — Risk / Return Rank
TLSTX
SSSYX
TLSTX vs. SSSYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K (SSSYX). 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.
| TLSTX | SSSYX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.32 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.56 | 2.50 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.25 | 11.02 | +0.23 |
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Drawdowns
TLSTX vs. SSSYX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TLSTX drawdown since its inception was -34.91%, roughly equal to the maximum SSSYX drawdown of -33.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLSTX and SSSYX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TLSTX | SSSYX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.91% | -33.77% | -1.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.86% | -8.88% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -18.74% | -0.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.12% | -24.49% | -0.63% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.77% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.00% | -1.56% | +0.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.46% | -3.91% | -1.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.01% | 2.01% | 0.00% |
Volatility
TLSTX vs. SSSYX - Volatility Comparison
TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K (SSSYX) have volatilities of 4.98% and 5.00%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| TLSTX | SSSYX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.98% | 5.00% | -0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.07% | 9.94% | +0.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.76% | 12.52% | +0.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.05% | 17.00% | +0.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.04% | 121.15% | -101.11% |
TLSTX vs. SSSYX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TLSTX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than SSSYX's 0.02% 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%.
Dividends
TLSTX vs. SSSYX - Dividend Comparison
TLSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, more than SSSYX's 1.31% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SSSYX State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K | 1.31% | 1.44% | 1.63% | 1.78% | 2.16% | 2.76% | 1.86% | 4.44% | 5.18% | 5.94% | 2.07% | 1.84% |
TLSTX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund | 4.96% | 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
With a correlation of 1.00, TLSTX and SSSYX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
SSSYX has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to TLSTX (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLSTX dropped -34.91% vs SSSYX's -33.77%.
SSSYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.77), 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.
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