TLSTX vs. VIIIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TLSTX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund) and VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, TLSTX returned 12.86%/yr vs 14.42%/yr for VIIIX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TLSTX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VIIIX.

Performance

TLSTX vs. VIIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TLSTX having a 11.42% return and VIIIX slightly higher at 11.70%.

TLSTX

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

VIIIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 23.17%
• 5Y*: 14.42%
• 10Y*: 15.74%

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

TLSTX vs. VIIIX - 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%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	11.70%	17.87%	26.29%	25.79%	-18.14%	28.69%	18.41%	16.37%

Correlation

The correlation between TLSTX and VIIIX is 0.99 - 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	0.99
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 14, 2019	0.98

The correlation between TLSTX and VIIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLSTX vs. VIIIX — 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

VIIIX

VIIIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VIIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VIIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VIIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VIIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VIIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. 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.

	TLSTX	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	2.52	-0.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.35	3.42	-0.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.46	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	3.36	-0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.47	15.69	-0.23
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. VIIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the VIIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLSTX and VIIIX, 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	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	2.52	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.86	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.50	+0.31

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLSTX	VIIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.51%	-10.02%	+4.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.90%	+0.02%

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 2.93% and 2.83%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	TLSTX	VIIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	2.83%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.15%	8.97%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.16%	11.86%	+0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.94%	16.89%	+0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.08%	18.06%	+2.02%

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 4.92%, more than VIIIX's 2.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.41%	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

Can I hold both TLSTX and VIIIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, 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.

Which is riskier, TLSTX or VIIIX?

TLSTX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to VIIIX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLSTX dropped -34.91% vs VIIIX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.46), 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.