HLMEX vs. TEQLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HLMEX (Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio) and TEQLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, HLMEX returned 7.06%/yr vs 10.64%/yr for TEQLX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HLMEX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for TEQLX.

Performance

HLMEX vs. TEQLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio (HLMEX) 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, HLMEX achieves a 22.04% return, which is significantly lower than TEQLX's 30.13% return. Over the past 10 years, HLMEX has underperformed TEQLX with an annualized return of 7.06%, while TEQLX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.64% annualized return.

HLMEX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 6.55%
• YTD: 22.04%
• 6M: 23.47%
• 1Y: 45.44%
• 3Y*: 17.89%
• 5Y*: 2.10%
• 10Y*: 7.06%

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)

HLMEX vs. TEQLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HLMEX Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio	22.04%	28.02%	2.71%	6.16%	-27.66%	-3.41%	13.88%	25.78%	-18.62%	35.33%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	30.13%	34.10%	6.71%	9.23%	-20.22%	-3.07%	17.67%	18.59%	-14.60%	37.47%

Correlation

The correlation between HLMEX and TEQLX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 2010	0.94

The correlation between HLMEX and TEQLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HLMEX vs. TEQLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HLMEX

HLMEX Risk / Return Rank: 85
HLMEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
HLMEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
HLMEX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
HLMEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
HLMEX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

HLMEX vs. TEQLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio (HLMEX) 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.

	HLMEX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.09	3.33	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.14	4.18	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.62	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.77	4.50	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.80	17.79	-2.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HLMEX vs. TEQLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HLMEX Sharpe Ratio is 3.09, which is comparable to the TEQLX Sharpe Ratio of 3.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HLMEX 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

	HLMEX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.09	3.33	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.47	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.60	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.35	-0.05

Drawdowns

HLMEX vs. TEQLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HLMEX drawdown since its inception was -65.03%, which is greater than TEQLX's maximum drawdown of -39.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HLMEX and TEQLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HLMEX	TEQLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.03%	-39.33%	-25.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.12%	-13.32%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.59%	-15.97%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.65%	-37.05%	-5.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.82%	-39.33%	-4.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.17%	-14.61%	-2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	3.35%	-0.27%

Volatility

HLMEX vs. TEQLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio (HLMEX) is 5.61%, while TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) has a volatility of 7.75%. This indicates that HLMEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TEQLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HLMEX	TEQLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	7.75%	-2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.57%	15.43%	-2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.80%	17.98%	-3.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.59%	16.99%	-0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.92%	17.68%	+0.24%

HLMEX vs. TEQLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HLMEX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than TEQLX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

HLMEX vs. TEQLX - Dividend Comparison

HLMEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 78.26%, more than TEQLX's 2.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HLMEX Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio	78.26%	95.51%	14.22%	1.40%	0.96%	0.71%	0.39%	1.46%	0.98%	0.76%	0.62%	0.63%
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 HLMEX and TEQLX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, HLMEX 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, HLMEX or TEQLX?

TEQLX has higher volatility (7.75%) compared to HLMEX (5.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HLMEX dropped -65.03% vs TEQLX's -39.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TEQLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.33 vs 3.09), 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.