VTTVX vs. TLQIX
VTTVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund) and TLQIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund) are both mutual funds - VTTVX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while TLQIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, VTTVX returned 7.99%/yr vs 8.20%/yr for TLQIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTTVX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLQIX.
Performance
VTTVX vs. TLQIX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VTTVX having a 6.82% return and TLQIX slightly higher at 6.99%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTTVX having a 7.99% annualized return and TLQIX not far ahead at 8.20%.
VTTVX
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- 3.00%
- YTD
- 6.82%
- 6M
- 7.29%
- 1Y
- 16.99%
- 3Y*
- 12.88%
- 5Y*
- 6.14%
- 10Y*
- 7.99%
TLQIX
- 1D
- 0.20%
- 1M
- 3.18%
- YTD
- 6.99%
- 6M
- 7.34%
- 1Y
- 17.35%
- 3Y*
- 12.80%
- 5Y*
- 6.32%
- 10Y*
- 8.20%
VTTVX vs. TLQIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTTVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund | 6.82% | 14.63% | 9.23% | 14.76% | -15.57% | 9.78% | 13.31% | 19.63% | -5.14% | 13.68% |
TLQIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund | 6.99% | 14.51% | 9.46% | 14.18% | -15.04% | 10.12% | 14.00% | 19.84% | -4.45% | 13.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTTVX and TLQIX is 0.99 - 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 | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2009 | 0.99 |
The correlation between VTTVX and TLQIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VTTVX vs. TLQIX — Risk / Return Rank
VTTVX
TLQIX
VTTVX vs. TLQIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX). 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.
| VTTVX | TLQIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.49 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.09 | 3.18 | -0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.50 | 14.01 | -0.52 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VTTVX | TLQIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.52 | 2.55 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.68 | 0.65 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 | 0.82 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.57 | 0.79 | -0.23 |
Drawdowns
VTTVX vs. TLQIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTTVX drawdown since its inception was -46.03%, which is greater than TLQIX's maximum drawdown of -21.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTTVX and TLQIX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VTTVX | TLQIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.03% | -21.30% | -24.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.57% | -5.55% | -0.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.84% | -11.51% | +3.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.52% | -20.99% | -0.53% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.51% | -21.30% | -1.21% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.05% | -3.30% | -1.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.27% | 1.26% | +0.01% |
Volatility
VTTVX vs. TLQIX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX) have volatilities of 2.24% and 2.30%, 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VTTVX | TLQIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.24% | 2.30% | -0.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.53% | 5.62% | -0.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.83% | 6.92% | -0.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.09% | 9.74% | -0.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.94% | 10.09% | -0.15% |
VTTVX vs. TLQIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTTVX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than TLQIX's 0.10% 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
VTTVX vs. TLQIX - Dividend Comparison
VTTVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.91%, more than TLQIX's 5.72% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLQIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund | 5.72% | 6.12% | 5.79% | 2.58% | 2.99% | 3.94% | 2.15% | 2.44% | 2.73% | 0.13% | 2.43% | 0.23% |
VTTVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund | 6.91% | 7.38% | 7.63% | 3.96% | 2.96% | 16.28% | 4.35% | 2.57% | 3.14% | 0.47% | 2.68% | 4.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, VTTVX and TLQIX 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.
TLQIX has higher volatility (2.30%) compared to VTTVX (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTTVX dropped -46.03% vs TLQIX's -21.30%.
TLQIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.52), 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.
Find the right allocation for VTTVX and TLQIX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer