TLXIX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLXIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2045 Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - TLXIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, TLXIX returned 11.88%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TLXIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

TLXIX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2045 Fund (TLXIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TLXIX having a 11.45% return and VTI slightly lower at 11.20%. Over the past 10 years, TLXIX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 11.88%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.05% annualized return.

TLXIX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 5.12%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 12.12%
• 1Y: 26.58%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 10.15%
• 10Y*: 11.88%

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

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

TLXIX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLXIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2045 Fund	11.45%	20.13%	14.63%	20.06%	-17.26%	16.63%	17.02%	25.84%	-6.96%	18.87%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between TLXIX and VTI is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2009	0.97

The correlation between TLXIX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLXIX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLXIX

TLXIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLXIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TLXIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
TLXIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
TLXIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TLXIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

TLXIX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2045 Fund (TLXIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	TLXIX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.33	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.18	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.42	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.17	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.29	14.62	-0.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLXIX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLXIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLXIX and VTI, 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

	TLXIX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.33	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.73	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.82	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.51	+0.24

Drawdowns

TLXIX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLXIX drawdown since its inception was -31.08%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLXIX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLXIX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.08%	-55.45%	+24.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.45%	-8.92%	+0.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.27%	-19.30%	+5.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.97%	-25.36%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.08%	-35.00%	+3.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.72%	+0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.03%	-8.03%	+4.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	1.93%	-0.04%

Volatility

TLXIX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2045 Fund (TLXIX) has a higher volatility of 3.28% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.96%. This indicates that TLXIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLXIX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	2.96%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.67%	9.13%	-0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.90%	12.17%	-1.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.95%	17.40%	-3.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.14%	18.30%	-3.16%

TLXIX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLXIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% 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

TLXIX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

TLXIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.90%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TLXIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2045 Fund	2.90%	3.24%	2.33%	2.07%	2.49%	2.51%	1.77%	2.25%	2.69%	0.16%	2.59%	2.47%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLXIX and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, TLXIX and VTI 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, TLXIX or VTI?

TLXIX has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to VTI (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLXIX dropped -31.08% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLXIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.33), 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.