TCSEX Mutual Fund — TIAA-CREF SMALL-CAP EQUITY FUND RETAIL CLASS

TIAA-CREF SMALL-CAP EQUITY FUND RETAIL CLASS (TCSEX)

TCSEX is a Mutual Fund. As of August 28, 2026, its distribution rate is 0.60%, its trailing-12-month yield is 7.68%, its expense ratio is 0.74%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 96/100 (Safe). Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 9.2%.

At the current 0.60% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $60 per year, or $5.00 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual annual payments vary.

TIAA-CREF Small-Cap Equity Fund Retail Class is a mutual fund that invests at least 80% of its assets in small-cap equity securities selected for their potential for significant long-term capital appreciation. The fund distributes dividends annually and currently carries a high distribution rate. This fund appeals to growth-oriented investors seeking exposure to small-cap equities with an annual payout component.

TCSEX performance

Data as of August 28, 2026.

Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 9.2%.

TCSEX key facts

Data as of August 28, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

96 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.58%

Issuer

Nuveen

Asset type

Mutual Fund

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

09/30/2002

Expense ratio

0.74%

Distribution rate

0.60%

Distribution frequency

Annual

Trailing yield

7.68%

Last close

$22.49

AUM

$4,059,320,000

Average volume

0.0

Last dividend

$1.7270

Ex-dividend date

12/12/2025

Beta

1.22

P/E ratio

1.9958

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.60%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (7.68%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 28, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 28, 2026.

Primary sources: Nuveen; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

TCSEX risks and drawbacks

TCSEX's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 9.2%.

Who may consider TCSEX — and who may not

TCSEX may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (TCSEX pays annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Frequently asked questions

More funds from Nuveen.