VMCIX vs. TISBX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VMCIX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) and TISBX (TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund) are both mutual funds - VMCIX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while TISBX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, VMCIX returned 11.49%/yr vs 10.99%/yr for TISBX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VMCIX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TISBX.

Performance

VMCIX vs. TISBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMCIX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMCIX achieves a 9.57% return, which is significantly lower than TISBX's 17.61% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VMCIX having a 11.49% annualized return and TISBX not far behind at 10.99%.

VMCIX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 2.54%
• YTD: 9.57%
• 6M: 10.08%
• 1Y: 18.73%
• 3Y*: 16.49%
• 5Y*: 7.81%
• 10Y*: 11.49%

TISBX

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 17.61%
• 6M: 18.54%
• 1Y: 41.98%
• 3Y*: 18.29%
• 5Y*: 6.31%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

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

VMCIX vs. TISBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VMCIX Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	9.57%	11.67%	14.68%	16.54%	-18.70%	24.53%	18.20%	31.04%	-9.25%	19.30%
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	17.61%	12.72%	11.60%	17.07%	-20.31%	14.85%	20.14%	25.61%	-10.99%	13.14%

Correlation

The correlation between VMCIX and TISBX is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2002	0.92

The correlation between VMCIX and TISBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VMCIX vs. TISBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMCIX

VMCIX Risk / Return Rank: 32
VMCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VMCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
VMCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VMCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VMCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

TISBX

TISBX Risk / Return Rank: 62
TISBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
TISBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
TISBX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
TISBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
TISBX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

VMCIX vs. TISBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMCIX) and TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX). 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.

	VMCIX	TISBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.23	-0.68
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	3.07	-0.84
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.36	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	3.86	-1.49
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.01	13.72	-4.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VMCIX vs. TISBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMCIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the TISBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMCIX and TISBX, 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

	VMCIX	TISBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	2.23	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.28	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.47	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.39	+0.10

Drawdowns

VMCIX vs. TISBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMCIX drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, roughly equal to the maximum TISBX drawdown of -56.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMCIX and TISBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMCIX	TISBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.86%	-56.50%	-2.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.13%	-10.95%	+2.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.93%	-27.44%	+8.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.54%	-31.89%	+4.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.30%	-41.69%	+2.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.04%	+1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.98%	-9.69%	+1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	3.08%	-0.94%

Volatility

VMCIX vs. TISBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMCIX) is 2.89%, while TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund (TISBX) has a volatility of 5.55%. This indicates that VMCIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMCIX	TISBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.89%	5.55%	-2.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.27%	13.57%	-4.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	19.19%	-6.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.63%	22.55%	-4.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.92%	23.43%	-4.51%

VMCIX vs. TISBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMCIX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than TISBX's 0.05% 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

VMCIX vs. TISBX - Dividend Comparison

VMCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, less than TISBX's 3.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TISBX TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Blend Index Fund	3.51%	4.12%	6.82%	3.09%	1.97%	8.96%	2.65%	5.16%	9.29%	4.49%	4.03%	4.77%
VMCIX Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.37%	1.52%	1.49%	1.51%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.83%	1.36%	1.46%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMCIX and TISBX in my portfolio?

VMCIX and TISBX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VMCIX or TISBX?

TISBX has higher volatility (5.55%) compared to VMCIX (2.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMCIX dropped -58.86% vs TISBX's -56.50%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TISBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.55), 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.