TLWIX vs. TISBX
TLWIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund) and TISBX (TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund) are both mutual funds - TLWIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA, while TISBX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA. Over the past 10 years, TLWIX returned 7.04%/yr vs 10.62%/yr for TISBX. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. TLWIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TISBX.
Performance
TLWIX vs. TISBX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TLWIX achieves a 5.21% return, which is significantly lower than TISBX's 19.47% return. Over the past 10 years, TLWIX has underperformed TISBX with an annualized return of 7.04%, while TISBX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.62% annualized return.
TLWIX
- 1D
- 1.01%
- 1M
- -0.52%
- 6M
- 3.55%
- YTD
- 5.21%
- 1Y
- 11.74%
- 3Y*
- 10.33%
- 5Y*
- 5.11%
- 10Y*
- 7.04%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.36%
TISBX
- 1D
- 1.35%
- 1M
- -1.63%
- 6M
- 13.41%
- YTD
- 19.47%
- 1Y
- 37.61%
- 3Y*
- 15.32%
- 5Y*
- 7.28%
- 10Y*
- 10.62%
- 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 |
TLWIX vs. TISBX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLWIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund | 5.21% | 13.75% | 8.69% | 13.06% | -14.37% | 8.73% | 13.06% | 17.96% | -3.77% | 11.56% |
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund | 19.47% | 12.72% | 11.60% | 17.07% | -20.31% | 14.85% | 20.14% | 25.61% | -10.99% | 13.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between TLWIX and TISBX is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.81 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2009 | 0.83 |
The correlation between TLWIX and TISBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TLWIX vs. TISBX — Risk / Return Rank
TLWIX
TISBX
TLWIX vs. TISBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). 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.
| TLWIX | TISBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.29 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.21 | 3.09 | -0.88 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.30 | 10.95 | -1.65 |
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Drawdowns
TLWIX vs. TISBX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TLWIX drawdown since its inception was -19.93%, smaller than the maximum TISBX drawdown of -56.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLWIX and TISBX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TLWIX | TISBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.93% | -56.50% | +36.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.15% | -10.95% | +5.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.61% | -27.44% | +15.83% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.93% | -31.89% | +11.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.93% | -41.69% | +21.76% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.08% | -2.53% | +1.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.02% | -9.63% | +6.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.22% | 3.09% | -1.87% |
Volatility
TLWIX vs. TISBX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX) is 2.10%, while TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) has a volatility of 3.81%. This indicates that TLWIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TLWIX | TISBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.10% | 3.81% | -1.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.88% | 14.08% | -8.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.99% | 19.42% | -12.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.30% | 22.52% | -13.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.09% | 23.41% | -14.32% |
TLWIX vs. TISBX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TLWIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than TISBX's 0.05% 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
TLWIX vs. TISBX - Dividend Comparison
TLWIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.02%, more than TISBX's 3.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund | 3.45% | 4.12% | 6.82% | 3.09% | 1.97% | 8.96% | 2.65% | 5.16% | 9.29% | 4.49% | 4.03% | 4.77% |
TLWIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund | 7.02% | 7.38% | 6.98% | 3.45% | 3.25% | 5.17% | 2.31% | 2.31% | 2.91% | 0.14% | 2.35% | 0.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TLWIX and TISBX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TISBX has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to TLWIX (2.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLWIX dropped -19.93% vs TISBX's -56.50%.
TISBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.63), 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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