TRILX vs. AAAAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

TRILX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index Retirement Income Fund) and AAAAX (DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, TRILX returned 6.40%/yr vs 7.19%/yr for AAAAX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TRILX charges 0.10%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for AAAAX.

Performance

TRILX vs. AAAAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index Retirement Income Fund (TRILX) and DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A (AAAAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TRILX achieves a 5.17% return, which is significantly lower than AAAAX's 10.95% return. Over the past 10 years, TRILX has underperformed AAAAX with an annualized return of 6.40%, while AAAAX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.19% annualized return.

TRILX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 5.40%
• 1Y: 13.93%
• 3Y*: 10.78%
• 5Y*: 5.00%
• 10Y*: 6.40%

AAAAX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -1.81%
• YTD: 10.95%
• 6M: 11.55%
• 1Y: 17.24%
• 3Y*: 11.55%
• 5Y*: 4.92%
• 10Y*: 7.19%

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

TRILX vs. AAAAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRILX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index Retirement Income Fund	5.17%	12.94%	7.85%	11.89%	-13.47%	7.13%	12.05%	15.39%	-2.66%	9.13%
AAAAX DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A	10.95%	12.82%	5.24%	2.30%	-9.91%	23.45%	3.71%	21.42%	-5.36%	14.67%

Correlation

The correlation between TRILX and AAAAX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2009	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between TRILX and AAAAX has dropped to 0.47 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TRILX vs. AAAAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRILX

TRILX Risk / Return Rank: 63
TRILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
TRILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
TRILX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
TRILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
TRILX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

AAAAX

AAAAX Risk / Return Rank: 53
AAAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
AAAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
AAAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
AAAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
AAAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

TRILX vs. AAAAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index Retirement Income Fund (TRILX) and DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A (AAAAX). 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.

	TRILX	AAAAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.94	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	2.64	+0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.36	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.61	3.08	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.16	11.17	+0.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRILX vs. AAAAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRILX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the AAAAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRILX and AAAAX, 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

	TRILX	AAAAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.94	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.41	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.57	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	0.39	+0.57

Drawdowns

TRILX vs. AAAAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRILX drawdown since its inception was -18.55%, smaller than the maximum AAAAX drawdown of -40.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRILX and AAAAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRILX	AAAAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.55%	-40.47%	+21.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.30%	-5.68%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.36%	-10.17%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.55%	-22.62%	+4.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.55%	-29.41%	+10.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-2.49%	+2.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-6.84%	+4.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.13%	1.56%	-0.43%

Volatility

TRILX vs. AAAAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index Retirement Income Fund (TRILX) is 2.01%, while DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A (AAAAX) has a volatility of 2.61%. This indicates that TRILX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAAAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRILX	AAAAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.01%	2.61%	-0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.91%	7.26%	-2.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.00%	9.01%	-3.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.47%	12.11%	-4.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.25%	12.68%	-5.43%

TRILX vs. AAAAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRILX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than AAAAX's 1.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRILX vs. AAAAX - Dividend Comparison

TRILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.85%, less than AAAAX's 3.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAAAX DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A	3.19%	3.54%	2.45%	2.08%	4.17%	2.31%	1.33%	1.81%	1.61%	1.52%	1.47%	2.15%
TRILX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index Retirement Income Fund	2.85%	3.49%	5.25%	2.61%	3.50%	4.07%	2.15%	2.39%	2.96%	0.90%	2.12%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRILX and AAAAX in my portfolio?

TRILX and AAAAX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TRILX or AAAAX?

AAAAX has higher volatility (2.61%) compared to TRILX (2.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRILX dropped -18.55% vs AAAAX's -40.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TRILX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.94), 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.