TSIDX vs. TNSHX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

TSIDX (T. Rowe Price Short Duration Income Fund I Class) and TNSHX (TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, TSIDX returned 2.43%/yr vs 1.84%/yr for TNSHX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TSIDX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for TNSHX.

Performance

TSIDX vs. TNSHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Short Duration Income Fund I Class (TSIDX) and TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSIDX achieves a 0.73% return, which is significantly higher than TNSHX's 0.63% return.

TSIDX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.19%
• 6M: 0.73%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 1Y: 4.04%
• 3Y*: 5.53%
• 5Y*: 2.43%
• 10Y*: —

TNSHX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.73%
• YTD: 0.63%
• 1Y: 3.38%
• 3Y*: 4.24%
• 5Y*: 1.84%
• 10Y*: 1.82%

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

TSIDX vs. TNSHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TSIDX T. Rowe Price Short Duration Income Fund I Class	0.73%	6.58%	5.87%	5.42%	-5.61%	0.74%	0.20%
TNSHX TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund	0.63%	5.31%	4.03%	4.05%	-3.96%	-0.57%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between TSIDX and TNSHX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2020	0.75

The correlation between TSIDX and TNSHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.77 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TSIDX vs. TNSHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSIDX

TSIDX Risk / Return Rank: 90
TSIDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
TSIDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
TSIDX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
TSIDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
TSIDX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

TNSHX

TNSHX Risk / Return Rank: 79
TNSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
TNSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
TNSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
TNSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
TNSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

TSIDX vs. TNSHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Short Duration Income Fund I Class (TSIDX) and TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX). 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.

	TSIDX	TNSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.78	+0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.28	3.25	+1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.43	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	2.91	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.58	10.96	+4.62

TSIDX vs. TNSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSIDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the TNSHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSIDX and TNSHX, 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

TSIDX vs. TNSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSIDX drawdown since its inception was -7.87%, which is greater than TNSHX's maximum drawdown of -5.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSIDX and TNSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSIDX	TNSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-5.99%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.26%	-1.13%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.26%	-1.13%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.87%	-5.99%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.21%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.78%	-0.88%	-0.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.27%	0.30%	-0.03%

Volatility

TSIDX vs. TNSHX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Short Duration Income Fund I Class (TSIDX) and TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX) have volatilities of 0.54% and 0.55%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSIDX	TNSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.54%	0.55%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.28%	1.41%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84%	1.86%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.27%	2.26%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.16%	1.83%	+0.33%

TSIDX vs. TNSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSIDX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than TNSHX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSIDX vs. TNSHX - Dividend Comparison

TSIDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.41%, more than TNSHX's 4.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
TNSHX TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund	4.09%	4.22%	3.94%	2.68%	1.00%	1.03%	1.81%	2.45%	1.80%	1.31%	0.98%
TSIDX T. Rowe Price Short Duration Income Fund I Class	4.41%	4.96%	5.14%	3.61%	1.90%	1.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSIDX and TNSHX in my portfolio?

TSIDX and TNSHX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSIDX or TNSHX?

TNSHX has higher volatility (0.55%) compared to TSIDX (0.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSIDX dropped -7.87% vs TNSHX's -5.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSIDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.78), 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.