FTIHX vs. TCIEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTIHX (Fidelity Total International Index Fund) and TCIEX (TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - FTIHX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) ex USA Investable Market Index, while TCIEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTIHX returned 8.77%/yr vs 8.81%/yr for TCIEX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FTIHX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TCIEX.

Performance

FTIHX vs. TCIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Total International Index Fund (FTIHX) and TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTIHX achieves a 15.53% return, which is significantly higher than TCIEX's 9.52% return.

FTIHX

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 15.53%
• 6M: 18.30%
• 1Y: 33.42%
• 3Y*: 19.89%
• 5Y*: 8.77%
• 10Y*: —

TCIEX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: 9.52%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 17.07%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 9.38%

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

FTIHX vs. TCIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTIHX Fidelity Total International Index Fund	15.53%	32.59%	4.98%	15.49%	-16.29%	8.45%	11.09%	21.50%	-14.40%	25.88%
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	9.52%	31.55%	3.69%	18.21%	-14.19%	11.30%	8.13%	21.82%	-13.27%	25.34%

Correlation

The correlation between FTIHX and TCIEX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 17, 2016	0.96

The correlation between FTIHX and TCIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FTIHX vs. TCIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTIHX

FTIHX Risk / Return Rank: 58
FTIHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
FTIHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
FTIHX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FTIHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
FTIHX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

TCIEX

TCIEX Risk / Return Rank: 26
TCIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
TCIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
TCIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
TCIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
TCIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

FTIHX vs. TCIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Total International Index Fund (FTIHX) and TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX). 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.

	FTIHX	TCIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.42	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	2.04	+1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.26	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	1.89	+1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.54	7.06	+4.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTIHX vs. TCIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTIHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the TCIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTIHX and TCIEX, 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

	FTIHX	TCIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.42	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.55	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.41	+0.23

Drawdowns

FTIHX vs. TCIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTIHX drawdown since its inception was -35.75%, smaller than the maximum TCIEX drawdown of -59.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTIHX and TCIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTIHX	TCIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.75%	-59.27%	+23.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.25%	-11.35%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.15%	-13.58%	+0.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.99%	-29.25%	-0.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.58%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.49%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.22%	-10.58%	+3.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	3.02%	-0.17%

Volatility

FTIHX vs. TCIEX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Total International Index Fund (FTIHX) and TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX) have volatilities of 4.76% and 4.65%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	FTIHX	TCIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.76%	4.65%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.02%	12.25%	-0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.30%	15.11%	-0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.27%	16.10%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.05%	16.65%	-0.60%

FTIHX vs. TCIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTIHX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than TCIEX'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

FTIHX vs. TCIEX - Dividend Comparison

FTIHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.41%, less than TCIEX's 3.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTIHX Fidelity Total International Index Fund	2.41%	2.78%	2.88%	2.78%	2.51%	2.55%	1.62%	2.61%	2.21%	0.45%	0.47%	0.00%
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	3.55%	3.89%	3.17%	3.14%	2.82%	3.02%	1.96%	3.08%	3.42%	2.78%	2.95%	3.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTIHX and TCIEX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, FTIHX and TCIEX 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, FTIHX or TCIEX?

FTIHX has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to TCIEX (4.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTIHX dropped -35.75% vs TCIEX's -59.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTIHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.42), 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.