TNSHX vs. DFCFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TNSHX (TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund) and DFCFX (DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, TNSHX returned 1.78%/yr vs 2.48%/yr for DFCFX. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TNSHX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for DFCFX.

Performance

TNSHX vs. DFCFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX) and DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TNSHX achieves a 0.30% return, which is significantly lower than DFCFX's 1.62% return. Over the past 10 years, TNSHX has underperformed DFCFX with an annualized return of 1.78%, while DFCFX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.48% annualized return.

TNSHX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 6M: 0.75%
• 1Y: 3.20%
• 3Y*: 4.25%
• 5Y*: 1.81%
• 10Y*: 1.78%

DFCFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 2.76%
• 3Y*: 4.02%
• 5Y*: 3.83%
• 10Y*: 2.48%

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

TNSHX vs. DFCFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TNSHX TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund	0.30%	5.31%	4.03%	4.05%	-3.96%	-0.57%	3.26%	4.05%	1.31%	0.70%
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	1.62%	2.28%	5.33%	4.92%	-3.28%	8.60%	0.57%	2.65%	1.78%	0.92%

Correlation

The correlation between TNSHX and DFCFX is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.34

Over the past year, the correlation between TNSHX and DFCFX has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.34, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TNSHX vs. DFCFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TNSHX

TNSHX Risk / Return Rank: 61
TNSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
TNSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
TNSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TNSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
TNSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

DFCFX

DFCFX Risk / Return Rank: 65
DFCFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DFCFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
DFCFX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DFCFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
DFCFX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

TNSHX vs. DFCFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX) and DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX). 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.

	TNSHX	DFCFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.27	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	2.61	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	2.96	-1.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	2.73	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.83	9.86	+0.97

TNSHX vs. DFCFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TNSHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the DFCFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TNSHX and DFCFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TNSHX vs. DFCFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TNSHX drawdown since its inception was -5.99%, which is greater than DFCFX's maximum drawdown of -4.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TNSHX and DFCFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TNSHX	DFCFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-4.27%	-1.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.13%	-1.03%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.13%	-1.33%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.99%	-4.27%	-1.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.99%	-4.27%	-1.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.10%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.89%	-0.26%	-0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.31%	0.28%	+0.03%

Volatility

TNSHX vs. DFCFX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX) has a higher volatility of 0.70% compared to DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX) at 0.33%. This indicates that TNSHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TNSHX	DFCFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.70%	0.33%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.41%	0.49%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91%	1.24%	+0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.26%	4.39%	-2.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.82%	3.13%	-1.31%

TNSHX vs. DFCFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TNSHX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DFCFX's 0.21% 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

TNSHX vs. DFCFX - Dividend Comparison

TNSHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.12%, more than DFCFX's 2.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	2.92%	2.16%	4.90%	3.43%	1.32%	8.29%	0.67%	2.22%	1.87%	1.22%	0.79%	0.53%
TNSHX TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund	4.12%	4.22%	3.94%	2.68%	1.00%	1.03%	1.81%	2.45%	1.80%	1.31%	0.98%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TNSHX and DFCFX in my portfolio?

TNSHX and DFCFX have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TNSHX or DFCFX?

TNSHX has higher volatility (0.70%) compared to DFCFX (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TNSHX dropped -5.99% vs DFCFX's -4.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.75), 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.