TLTIX vs. FNDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TLTIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2010 Fund) and FNDX (Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF) are both funds - TLTIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while FNDX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US Large Index. Over the past 10 years, TLTIX returned 6.23%/yr vs 14.28%/yr for FNDX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLTIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FNDX.

Performance

TLTIX vs. FNDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2010 Fund (TLTIX) and Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLTIX achieves a 4.96% return, which is significantly lower than FNDX's 14.72% return. Over the past 10 years, TLTIX has underperformed FNDX with an annualized return of 6.23%, while FNDX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.28% annualized return.

TLTIX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.87%
• YTD: 4.96%
• 6M: 5.41%
• 1Y: 13.41%
• 3Y*: 10.17%
• 5Y*: 4.71%
• 10Y*: 6.23%

FNDX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 3.39%
• YTD: 14.72%
• 6M: 15.53%
• 1Y: 33.33%
• 3Y*: 20.96%
• 5Y*: 12.94%
• 10Y*: 14.28%

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

TLTIX vs. FNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLTIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2010 Fund	4.96%	12.10%	7.39%	11.41%	-13.25%	6.94%	11.97%	15.58%	-2.88%	9.02%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF	14.72%	16.94%	16.77%	18.23%	-6.92%	31.73%	9.12%	28.65%	-7.30%	17.12%

Correlation

The correlation between TLTIX and FNDX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2013	0.82

The correlation between TLTIX and FNDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLTIX vs. FNDX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

TLTIX

TLTIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
TLTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
TLTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
TLTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
TLTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TLTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

FNDX

FNDX Risk / Return Rank: 91
FNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
FNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

TLTIX vs. FNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2010 Fund (TLTIX) and Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX). 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.

	TLTIX	FNDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	3.28	-0.69
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	4.59	-0.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.60	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	5.55	-2.32
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.48	21.77	-7.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLTIX vs. FNDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the FNDX Sharpe Ratio of 3.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLTIX and FNDX, 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

	TLTIX	FNDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	3.28	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.86	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.82	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.79	+0.08

Drawdowns

TLTIX vs. FNDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLTIX drawdown since its inception was -18.15%, smaller than the maximum FNDX drawdown of -37.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLTIX and FNDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLTIX	FNDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.15%	-37.72%	+19.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.32%	-6.06%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.76%	-16.30%	+6.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.15%	-19.06%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.15%	-37.72%	+19.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.60%	-3.55%	+0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	1.55%	-0.59%

Volatility

TLTIX vs. FNDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2010 Fund (TLTIX) is 1.80%, while Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX) has a volatility of 2.37%. This indicates that TLTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FNDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLTIX	FNDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.80%	2.37%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.27%	7.27%	-3.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.26%	10.21%	-4.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.92%	15.18%	-7.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.55%	17.50%	-9.95%

TLTIX vs. FNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLTIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than FNDX's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TLTIX vs. FNDX - Dividend Comparison

TLTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.14%, more than FNDX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF	1.45%	1.63%	1.76%	1.82%	2.07%	1.64%	2.29%	2.23%	2.40%	1.86%	2.01%	2.01%
TLTIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2010 Fund	6.14%	6.44%	6.57%	3.44%	3.48%	4.81%	2.36%	2.34%	3.11%	0.18%	2.29%	0.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLTIX and FNDX in my portfolio?

TLTIX and FNDX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLTIX or FNDX?

FNDX has higher volatility (2.37%) compared to TLTIX (1.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLTIX dropped -18.15% vs FNDX's -37.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 2.59), 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.