VSPGX vs. TILIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSPGX (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and TILIX (TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VSPGX returned 16.55%/yr vs 16.00%/yr for TILIX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VSPGX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TILIX.

Performance

VSPGX vs. TILIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPGX) and TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSPGX achieves a 14.87% return, which is significantly higher than TILIX's 8.58% return.

VSPGX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 8.46%
• YTD: 14.87%
• 6M: 14.68%
• 1Y: 35.30%
• 3Y*: 28.49%
• 5Y*: 16.55%
• 10Y*: —

TILIX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 7.10%
• YTD: 8.58%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 27.30%
• 3Y*: 25.49%
• 5Y*: 16.00%
• 10Y*: 18.64%

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

VSPGX vs. TILIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSPGX Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	14.87%	21.91%	35.48%	30.38%	-29.46%	31.88%	33.34%	31.06%	-0.05%	23.40%
TILIX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund	8.58%	18.41%	33.31%	42.64%	-29.22%	27.63%	38.43%	36.30%	-1.66%	23.99%

Correlation

The correlation between VSPGX and TILIX is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.98

The correlation between VSPGX and TILIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSPGX vs. TILIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSPGX

VSPGX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VSPGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VSPGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VSPGX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VSPGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VSPGX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

TILIX

TILIX Risk / Return Rank: 31
TILIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
TILIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TILIX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
TILIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
TILIX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

VSPGX vs. TILIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPGX) and TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX). 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.

	VSPGX	TILIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.84	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	2.50	+0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.32	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	1.75	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.05	5.84	+5.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSPGX vs. TILIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSPGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the TILIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSPGX and TILIX, 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

	VSPGX	TILIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.84	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.75	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.61	+0.27

Drawdowns

VSPGX vs. TILIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSPGX drawdown since its inception was -32.73%, smaller than the maximum TILIX drawdown of -50.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSPGX and TILIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSPGX	TILIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-50.54%	+17.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.68%	-16.24%	+2.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.34%	-23.33%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.73%	-32.68%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.37%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-7.73%	+0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.28%	4.84%	-1.56%

Volatility

VSPGX vs. TILIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPGX) has a higher volatility of 4.20% compared to TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (TILIX) at 3.32%. This indicates that VSPGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TILIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSPGX	TILIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.20%	3.32%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.45%	11.60%	+0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.94%	15.42%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.27%	21.47%	-0.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.35%	21.09%	+0.26%

VSPGX vs. TILIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSPGX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than TILIX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VSPGX vs. TILIX - Dividend Comparison

VSPGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than TILIX's 4.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TILIX TIAA-CREF Large-Cap Growth Index Fund	4.06%	4.41%	3.25%	1.90%	11.00%	8.76%	1.91%	2.38%	4.01%	0.68%	1.33%	1.32%
VSPGX Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.45%	0.38%	0.50%	1.14%	0.95%	0.55%	0.89%	0.68%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSPGX and TILIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, VSPGX and TILIX 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, VSPGX or TILIX?

VSPGX has higher volatility (4.20%) compared to TILIX (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSPGX dropped -32.73% vs TILIX's -50.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSPGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.84), 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.