BLZIX vs. TEQLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BLZIX (BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and TEQLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 5 years, BLZIX returned 7.77%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for TEQLX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BLZIX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for TEQLX.

Performance

BLZIX vs. TEQLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Emerging Markets Equity Fund (BLZIX) and TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BLZIX achieves a 33.69% return, which is significantly higher than TEQLX's 30.13% return.

BLZIX

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: 12.55%
• YTD: 33.69%
• 6M: 36.71%
• 1Y: 62.77%
• 3Y*: 25.50%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: —

TEQLX

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: 10.66%
• YTD: 30.13%
• 6M: 33.10%
• 1Y: 59.14%
• 3Y*: 24.95%
• 5Y*: 7.91%
• 10Y*: 10.64%

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

BLZIX vs. TEQLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BLZIX BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Emerging Markets Equity Fund	33.69%	34.04%	7.36%	8.27%	-21.88%	-3.34%	17.81%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	30.13%	34.10%	6.71%	9.23%	-20.22%	-3.07%	16.86%

Correlation

The correlation between BLZIX and TEQLX 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	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2020	0.98

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

Return for Risk

BLZIX vs. TEQLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BLZIX

BLZIX Risk / Return Rank: 91
BLZIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
BLZIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BLZIX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BLZIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
BLZIX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

TEQLX

TEQLX Risk / Return Rank: 90
TEQLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
TEQLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
TEQLX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
TEQLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
TEQLX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

BLZIX vs. TEQLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Emerging Markets Equity Fund (BLZIX) and TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX). 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.

	BLZIX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.44	3.33	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.30	4.18	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.62	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.92	4.50	+0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.38	17.79	+1.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BLZIX vs. TEQLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLZIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.44, which is comparable to the TEQLX Sharpe Ratio of 3.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLZIX and TEQLX, 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

	BLZIX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44	3.33	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.47	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.35	+0.27

Drawdowns

BLZIX vs. TEQLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLZIX drawdown since its inception was -42.19%, which is greater than TEQLX's maximum drawdown of -39.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLZIX and TEQLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLZIX	TEQLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.19%	-39.33%	-2.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.88%	-13.32%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.44%	-15.97%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.19%	-37.05%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.59%	-14.61%	-3.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	3.35%	-0.08%

Volatility

BLZIX vs. TEQLX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Emerging Markets Equity Fund (BLZIX) has a higher volatility of 8.14% compared to TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) at 7.75%. This indicates that BLZIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TEQLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BLZIX	TEQLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.14%	7.75%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.85%	15.43%	+0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.46%	17.98%	+0.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.30%	16.99%	+1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.22%	17.68%	+0.54%

BLZIX vs. TEQLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BLZIX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than TEQLX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

BLZIX vs. TEQLX - Dividend Comparison

BLZIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, which matches TEQLX's 2.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLZIX BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Emerging Markets Equity Fund	2.16%	2.89%	2.00%	2.32%	2.70%	11.00%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.17%	2.83%	2.93%	3.08%	2.51%	2.27%	2.04%	2.77%	2.43%	1.98%	1.88%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BLZIX and TEQLX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, BLZIX and TEQLX 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, BLZIX or TEQLX?

BLZIX has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to TEQLX (7.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLZIX dropped -42.19% vs TEQLX's -39.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BLZIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.44 vs 3.33), 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.