TSAIX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TSAIX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, TSAIX returned 11.96%/yr vs 10.13%/yr for VBAIX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TSAIX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

TSAIX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSAIX achieves a 9.96% return, which is significantly higher than VBAIX's 7.22% return. Over the past 10 years, TSAIX has outperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 11.96%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.13% annualized return.

TSAIX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 3.83%
• YTD: 9.96%
• 6M: 11.08%
• 1Y: 26.21%
• 3Y*: 19.13%
• 5Y*: 9.45%
• 10Y*: 11.96%

VBAIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 7.22%
• 6M: 7.45%
• 1Y: 19.68%
• 3Y*: 16.05%
• 5Y*: 8.51%
• 10Y*: 10.13%

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

TSAIX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSAIX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund	9.96%	20.04%	15.46%	22.72%	-19.57%	17.10%	19.69%	27.97%	-11.27%	22.35%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.22%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%

Correlation

The correlation between TSAIX and VBAIX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2011	0.95

The correlation between TSAIX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSAIX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSAIX

TSAIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
TSAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
TSAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
TSAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
TSAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
TSAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

TSAIX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	TSAIX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.52	-0.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	3.60	-0.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.47	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	3.42	-0.73
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.79	15.65	-3.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSAIX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSAIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSAIX and VBAIX, 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

	TSAIX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.52	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.77	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.91	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.66	+0.06

Drawdowns

TSAIX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSAIX drawdown since its inception was -34.58%, roughly equal to the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSAIX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSAIX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.58%	-35.82%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.28%	-5.84%	-4.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.29%	-11.57%	-5.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.28%	-21.52%	-6.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.58%	-22.77%	-11.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-4.42%	-0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	1.27%	+1.07%

Volatility

TSAIX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund (TSAIX) has a higher volatility of 3.70% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) at 2.26%. This indicates that TSAIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSAIX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.70%	2.26%	+1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.28%	6.12%	+4.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.93%	7.91%	+5.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.24%	11.10%	+5.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.65%	11.23%	+6.42%

TSAIX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSAIX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VBAIX's 0.06% 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

TSAIX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

TSAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.71%, more than VBAIX's 5.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TSAIX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Aggressive Growth Fund	6.71%	7.38%	2.94%	1.81%	9.27%	11.82%	5.59%	5.71%	5.71%	1.13%	4.12%	7.19%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.23%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSAIX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, TSAIX and VBAIX 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, TSAIX or VBAIX?

TSAIX has higher volatility (3.70%) compared to VBAIX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSAIX dropped -34.58% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.11), 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.