TLSTX vs. VT
TLSTX (TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund) and VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) are both funds - TLSTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA, while VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index. Over the past 5 years, TLSTX returned 11.63%/yr vs 10.58%/yr for VT. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. TLSTX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VT.
Performance
TLSTX vs. VT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TLSTX achieves a 9.68% return, which is significantly lower than VT's 11.15% return.
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%
VT
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- -0.20%
- 6M
- 7.80%
- YTD
- 11.15%
- 1Y
- 23.51%
- 3Y*
- 18.19%
- 5Y*
- 10.58%
- 10Y*
- 12.39%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.81%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $425.08M | $369.63M | $481.55M |
TLSTX vs. VT - 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% |
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 11.15% | 22.43% | 16.49% | 22.02% | -18.00% | 18.27% | 16.59% | 11.79% |
Correlation
The correlation between TLSTX and VT is 0.97 - 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. | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.95 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2019 | 0.95 |
The correlation between TLSTX and VT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TLSTX vs. VT — Risk / Return Rank
TLSTX
VT
TLSTX vs. VT - 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 World Stock ETF (VT). 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 | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.29 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.09 | 2.29 | -0.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.05 | 9.54 | -0.49 |
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Drawdowns
TLSTX vs. VT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TLSTX drawdown since its inception was -34.91%, smaller than the maximum VT drawdown of -50.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLSTX and VT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TLSTX | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.91% | -50.27% | +15.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.86% | -9.67% | +0.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -16.51% | -2.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.12% | -26.38% | +1.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.24% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.78% | -1.84% | +0.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.41% | -6.97% | +1.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.04% | 2.32% | -0.28% |
Volatility
TLSTX vs. VT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Life Funds Stock Index Fund (TLSTX) is 3.37%, while Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a volatility of 3.99%. This indicates that TLSTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TLSTX | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.37% | 3.99% | -0.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.19% | 11.68% | -1.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.05% | 13.96% | -0.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.05% | 16.22% | +0.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.96% | 17.18% | +2.78% |
TLSTX vs. VT - Expense Ratio Comparison
TLSTX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VT's 0.06% 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. VT - Dividend Comparison
TLSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.00%, more than VT's 1.59% 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% |
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 1.59% | 1.82% | 1.95% | 2.08% | 2.20% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 2.32% | 2.53% | 2.11% | 2.39% | 2.45% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, TLSTX and VT 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.
VT has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to TLSTX (3.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLSTX dropped -34.91% vs VT's -50.27%.
VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 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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