TLSTX vs. VIIIX
TLSTX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund) and VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - TLSTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA, while VIIIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, TLSTX returned 11.63%/yr vs 12.83%/yr for VIIIX. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. TLSTX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VIIIX.
Performance
TLSTX vs. VIIIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TLSTX having a 9.68% return and VIIIX slightly lower at 9.35%.
TLSTX
- 1D
- 1.60%
- 1M
- -0.78%
- 6M
- 8.02%
- YTD
- 9.68%
- 1Y
- 20.86%
- 3Y*
- 18.46%
- 5Y*
- 11.63%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 15.50%
VIIIX
- 1D
- 1.66%
- 1M
- -0.56%
- 6M
- 7.79%
- YTD
- 9.35%
- 1Y
- 20.63%
- 3Y*
- 19.44%
- 5Y*
- 12.83%
- 10Y*
- 15.07%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.41%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
TLSTX vs. VIIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLSTX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund | 9.68% | 17.08% | 23.66% | 25.90% | -19.24% | 25.61% | 20.74% | 15.48% |
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 9.35% | 17.87% | 26.29% | 25.79% | -18.14% | 28.69% | 18.41% | 13.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between TLSTX and VIIIX is 1.00 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2019 | 0.98 |
The correlation between TLSTX and VIIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TLSTX vs. VIIIX — Risk / Return Rank
TLSTX
VIIIX
TLSTX vs. VIIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). 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 | VIIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.26 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.09 | 2.06 | +0.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.05 | 8.86 | +0.19 |
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Drawdowns
TLSTX vs. VIIIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TLSTX drawdown since its inception was -34.91%, smaller than the maximum VIIIX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLSTX and VIIIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TLSTX | VIIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.91% | -55.18% | +20.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.86% | -8.90% | +0.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -18.75% | -0.55% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.12% | -24.50% | -0.62% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.79% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.78% | -2.11% | +0.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.41% | -9.97% | +4.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.04% | 2.07% | -0.03% |
Volatility
TLSTX vs. VIIIX - Volatility Comparison
TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) have volatilities of 3.37% and 3.44%, 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 | VIIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.37% | 3.44% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.19% | 10.09% | +0.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.05% | 12.86% | +0.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.05% | 17.01% | +0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.96% | 18.07% | +1.89% |
TLSTX vs. VIIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TLSTX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VIIIX'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. VIIIX - Dividend Comparison
TLSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.00%, more than VIIIX's 2.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLSTX TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund | 5.00% | 5.48% | 2.73% | 2.22% | 3.82% | 1.38% | 1.84% | 2.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 2.51% | 2.11% | 3.66% | 2.66% | 3.39% | 4.79% | 3.07% | 2.86% | 2.45% | 1.84% | 2.38% | 2.47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, TLSTX and VIIIX 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.
VIIIX has higher volatility (3.44%) compared to TLSTX (3.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLSTX dropped -34.91% vs VIIIX's -55.18%.
VIIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.42), 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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