TPDAX vs. TCGAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TPDAX (Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund) and TCGAX (Timothy Plan Conservative Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Timothy Plan. Over the past 10 years, TPDAX returned 7.18%/yr vs 4.16%/yr for TCGAX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TPDAX charges 1.37%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for TCGAX.

Performance

TPDAX vs. TCGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX) and Timothy Plan Conservative Growth Fund (TCGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TPDAX achieves a 10.96% return, which is significantly higher than TCGAX's 5.34% return. Over the past 10 years, TPDAX has outperformed TCGAX with an annualized return of 7.18%, while TCGAX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.16% annualized return.

TPDAX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 10.96%
• 6M: 11.99%
• 1Y: 25.38%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: 7.18%

TCGAX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 5.39%
• 1Y: 11.91%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: 2.87%
• 10Y*: 4.16%

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

TPDAX vs. TCGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TPDAX Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund	10.96%	23.97%	5.29%	7.71%	-5.63%	12.15%	8.83%	13.77%	-7.24%	4.14%
TCGAX Timothy Plan Conservative Growth Fund	5.34%	10.54%	4.29%	6.59%	-12.86%	7.61%	7.71%	14.78%	-9.25%	8.29%

Correlation

The correlation between TPDAX and TCGAX is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2009	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between TPDAX and TCGAX has dropped to 0.54 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TPDAX vs. TCGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TPDAX

TPDAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
TPDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
TPDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
TPDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
TPDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
TPDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

TCGAX

TCGAX Risk / Return Rank: 35
TCGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
TCGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
TCGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
TCGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
TCGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

TPDAX vs. TCGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX) and Timothy Plan Conservative Growth Fund (TCGAX). 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.

	TPDAX	TCGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.70	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.46	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.31	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	2.19	+1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.51	8.13	+3.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TPDAX vs. TCGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TPDAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the TCGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TPDAX and TCGAX, 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

	TPDAX	TCGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.70	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.37	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.50	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.31	+0.28

Drawdowns

TPDAX vs. TCGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TPDAX drawdown since its inception was -22.29%, smaller than the maximum TCGAX drawdown of -40.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TPDAX and TCGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TPDAX	TCGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.29%	-40.54%	+18.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-5.57%	-2.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.58%	-7.75%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.58%	-17.77%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.29%	-20.35%	-1.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.53%	-0.26%	-3.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-6.28%	+1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	1.49%	+0.71%

Volatility

TPDAX vs. TCGAX - Volatility Comparison

Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX) has a higher volatility of 2.91% compared to Timothy Plan Conservative Growth Fund (TCGAX) at 2.15%. This indicates that TPDAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TCGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TPDAX	TCGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	2.15%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.47%	5.50%	+3.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.17%	7.18%	+3.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.18%	7.77%	+2.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.90%	8.33%	+1.57%

TPDAX vs. TCGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TPDAX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is higher than TCGAX's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

TPDAX vs. TCGAX - Dividend Comparison

TPDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less than TCGAX's 1.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TCGAX Timothy Plan Conservative Growth Fund	1.09%	1.14%	3.45%	1.65%	5.35%	4.01%	2.56%	3.64%	2.47%	0.31%	0.00%	7.45%
TPDAX Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund	0.72%	0.80%	2.76%	2.35%	4.48%	0.50%	0.00%	2.89%	2.69%	0.13%	0.33%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TPDAX and TCGAX in my portfolio?

TPDAX and TCGAX have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TPDAX or TCGAX?

TPDAX has higher volatility (2.91%) compared to TCGAX (2.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TPDAX dropped -22.29% vs TCGAX's -40.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TPDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.70), 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.