TLSTX vs. VSTSX
TLSTX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund) and VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, TLSTX returned 11.63%/yr vs 11.64%/yr for VSTSX. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. TLSTX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VSTSX.
Performance
TLSTX vs. VSTSX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TLSTX having a 9.68% return and VSTSX slightly higher at 9.88%.
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%
VSTSX
- 1D
- 1.63%
- 1M
- -0.77%
- 6M
- 8.17%
- YTD
- 9.88%
- 1Y
- 21.14%
- 3Y*
- 18.61%
- 5Y*
- 11.64%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 14.55%
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. VSTSX - 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% |
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares | 9.88% | 17.16% | 23.27% | 26.54% | -19.49% | 25.75% | 21.02% | 12.55% |
Correlation
The correlation between TLSTX and VSTSX 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 | 0.99 |
The correlation between TLSTX and VSTSX 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. VSTSX — Risk / Return Rank
TLSTX
VSTSX
TLSTX vs. VSTSX - 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 Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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 | VSTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.26 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.09 | 2.11 | -0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.05 | 9.10 | -0.06 |
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Drawdowns
TLSTX vs. VSTSX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TLSTX drawdown since its inception was -34.91%, roughly equal to the maximum VSTSX drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLSTX and VSTSX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TLSTX | VSTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.91% | -34.97% | +0.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.86% | -8.92% | +0.06% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -19.36% | +0.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.12% | -25.35% | +0.23% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.78% | -1.88% | +0.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.41% | -4.84% | -0.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.04% | 2.06% | -0.02% |
Volatility
TLSTX vs. VSTSX - Volatility Comparison
TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) have volatilities of 3.37% and 3.41%, 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 | VSTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.37% | 3.41% | -0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.19% | 10.27% | -0.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.05% | 13.13% | -0.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.05% | 17.47% | -0.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.96% | 18.70% | +1.26% |
TLSTX vs. VSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TLSTX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTSX's 0.01% 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. VSTSX - Dividend Comparison
TLSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.00%, more than VSTSX's 1.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares | 1.08% | 1.13% | 1.27% | 1.43% | 1.67% | 1.23% | 1.44% | 1.79% | 2.07% | 1.74% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, TLSTX and VSTSX 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.
VSTSX has higher volatility (3.41%) compared to TLSTX (3.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLSTX dropped -34.91% vs VSTSX's -34.97%.
VSTSX 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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