TSMWX vs. TIGRX

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

TSMWX (TIAA-CREF Quant Small/Mid-Cap Equity Fund) and TIGRX (TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund) are both mutual funds - TSMWX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TIGRX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 5 years, TSMWX returned 13.72%/yr vs 13.02%/yr for TIGRX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TSMWX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for TIGRX.

Performance

TSMWX vs. TIGRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Quant Small/Mid-Cap Equity Fund (TSMWX) and TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSMWX achieves a 24.98% return, which is significantly higher than TIGRX's 6.97% return.

TSMWX

• 1D: 2.03%
• 1M: 6.06%
• YTD: 24.98%
• 6M: 23.41%
• 1Y: 45.17%
• 3Y*: 24.43%
• 5Y*: 13.72%
• 10Y*: —

TIGRX

• 1D: 1.19%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 6.97%
• 6M: 6.97%
• 1Y: 24.03%
• 3Y*: 19.92%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: 14.77%

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

TSMWX vs. TIGRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSMWX TIAA-CREF Quant Small/Mid-Cap Equity Fund	24.98%	16.07%	18.33%	20.97%	-16.46%	32.06%	15.98%	30.01%	-7.82%	17.44%
TIGRX TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund	6.97%	13.92%	29.01%	32.97%	-22.15%	25.55%	20.49%	30.29%	-7.33%	23.72%

Correlation

The correlation between TSMWX and TIGRX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.86

The correlation between TSMWX and TIGRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSMWX vs. TIGRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSMWX

TSMWX Risk / Return Rank: 84
TSMWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
TSMWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
TSMWX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
TSMWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
TSMWX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

TIGRX

TIGRX Risk / Return Rank: 40
TIGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
TIGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
TIGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
TIGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
TIGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

TSMWX vs. TIGRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Quant Small/Mid-Cap Equity Fund (TSMWX) and TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX). 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.

	TSMWX	TIGRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	1.70	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	2.36	+0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.30	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.20	2.11	+3.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.58	8.62	+10.96

TSMWX vs. TIGRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSMWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the TIGRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSMWX and TIGRX, 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

TSMWX vs. TIGRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSMWX drawdown since its inception was -44.34%, smaller than the maximum TIGRX drawdown of -49.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSMWX and TIGRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSMWX	TIGRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.34%	-49.52%	+5.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-11.27%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.27%	-20.79%	-3.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.87%	-27.16%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.41%	+1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-11.17%	+4.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	2.75%	-0.43%

Volatility

TSMWX vs. TIGRX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Quant Small/Mid-Cap Equity Fund (TSMWX) has a higher volatility of 6.34% compared to TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund (TIGRX) at 5.45%. This indicates that TSMWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TIGRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSMWX	TIGRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.34%	5.45%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.87%	11.20%	+2.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.41%	14.00%	+4.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	22.66%	-1.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.30%	21.42%	+0.88%

TSMWX vs. TIGRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSMWX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than TIGRX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSMWX vs. TIGRX - Dividend Comparison

TSMWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.14%, less than TIGRX's 12.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TIGRX TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund	12.96%	14.09%	11.70%	24.27%	9.52%	19.80%	7.44%	6.61%	9.98%	4.60%	3.06%	8.41%
TSMWX TIAA-CREF Quant Small/Mid-Cap Equity Fund	7.14%	8.92%	12.84%	2.50%	7.84%	20.81%	1.81%	5.84%	13.26%	4.51%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSMWX and TIGRX in my portfolio?

TSMWX and TIGRX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSMWX or TIGRX?

TSMWX has higher volatility (6.34%) compared to TIGRX (5.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSMWX dropped -44.34% vs TIGRX's -49.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSMWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 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.