TSITX vs. SMIFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TSITX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Income Fund) and SMIFX (Sound Mind Investing Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, TSITX returned 4.19%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for SMIFX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TSITX charges 0.10%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for SMIFX.

Performance

TSITX vs. SMIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Income Fund (TSITX) and Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSITX achieves a 1.59% return, which is significantly lower than SMIFX's 16.87% return. Over the past 10 years, TSITX has underperformed SMIFX with an annualized return of 4.19%, while SMIFX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.52% annualized return.

TSITX

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 7.56%
• 3Y*: 7.42%
• 5Y*: 3.02%
• 10Y*: 4.19%

SMIFX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 2.45%
• YTD: 16.87%
• 6M: 16.66%
• 1Y: 20.20%
• 3Y*: 13.17%
• 5Y*: 5.89%
• 10Y*: 9.52%

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

TSITX vs. SMIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSITX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Income Fund	1.59%	9.19%	6.23%	9.24%	-10.72%	3.04%	8.79%	10.93%	-2.04%	6.36%
SMIFX Sound Mind Investing Fund	16.87%	3.16%	16.65%	5.17%	-8.93%	11.15%	20.76%	19.28%	-8.56%	17.49%

Correlation

The correlation between TSITX and SMIFX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2011	0.72

The correlation between TSITX and SMIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSITX vs. SMIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSITX

TSITX Risk / Return Rank: 47
TSITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
TSITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
TSITX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
TSITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
TSITX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

SMIFX

SMIFX Risk / Return Rank: 40
SMIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SMIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
SMIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SMIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SMIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

TSITX vs. SMIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Income Fund (TSITX) and Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX). 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.

	TSITX	SMIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	1.72	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	2.37	+0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.31	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	2.68	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.95	8.61	+0.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSITX vs. SMIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the SMIFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSITX and SMIFX, 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

	TSITX	SMIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	1.72	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.20	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	0.40	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.32	+0.73

Drawdowns

TSITX vs. SMIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSITX drawdown since its inception was -14.75%, smaller than the maximum SMIFX drawdown of -54.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSITX and SMIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSITX	SMIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.75%	-54.33%	+39.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.08%	-7.42%	+3.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.08%	-19.98%	+15.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.75%	-41.36%	+26.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.75%	-41.36%	+26.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-8.74%	+8.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.86%	-14.28%	+12.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	2.31%	-1.42%

Volatility

TSITX vs. SMIFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Income Fund (TSITX) is 1.41%, while Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX) has a volatility of 3.01%. This indicates that TSITX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSITX	SMIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.41%	3.01%	-1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.26%	8.89%	-5.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.85%	11.62%	-7.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.71%	29.03%	-24.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.44%	24.18%	-19.74%

TSITX vs. SMIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSITX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than SMIFX's 1.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSITX vs. SMIFX - Dividend Comparison

TSITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.78%, less than SMIFX's 4.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMIFX Sound Mind Investing Fund	4.56%	5.33%	1.28%	1.73%	0.97%	46.86%	0.00%	0.48%	26.02%	10.06%	0.00%	14.94%
TSITX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Income Fund	2.78%	3.66%	3.83%	3.29%	3.82%	4.97%	3.75%	3.56%	3.68%	1.93%	3.02%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSITX and SMIFX in my portfolio?

TSITX and SMIFX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSITX or SMIFX?

SMIFX has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to TSITX (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSITX dropped -14.75% vs SMIFX's -54.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.72), 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.