JCE vs. TIEIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

JCE (Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund) and TIEIX (Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I) are both mutual funds - JCE is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Nuveen, while TIEIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Index. JCE is actively managed, while TIEIX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JCE returned 12.52%/yr vs 15.07%/yr for TIEIX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JCE charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for TIEIX.

Performance

JCE vs. TIEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE) and Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JCE achieves a 4.22% return, which is significantly lower than TIEIX's 10.07% return. Over the past 10 years, JCE has underperformed TIEIX with an annualized return of 12.52%, while TIEIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.07% annualized return.

JCE

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: -1.11%
• YTD: 4.22%
• 6M: 4.03%
• 1Y: 17.01%
• 3Y*: 18.43%
• 5Y*: 11.14%
• 10Y*: 12.52%

TIEIX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 10.07%
• 6M: 8.95%
• 1Y: 25.43%
• 3Y*: 21.02%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: 15.07%

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

JCE vs. TIEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JCE Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund	4.22%	9.06%	27.90%	10.67%	-14.29%	47.67%	3.59%	30.50%	-11.11%	31.98%
TIEIX Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I	10.07%	17.04%	23.71%	25.92%	-19.18%	25.64%	20.82%	30.89%	-5.27%	19.05%

Correlation

The correlation between JCE and TIEIX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2007	0.73

The correlation between JCE and TIEIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (5 years) to 0.81 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JCE vs. TIEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JCE

JCE Risk / Return Rank: 26
JCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
JCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
JCE Omega Ratio Rank: 24
JCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
JCE Martin Ratio Rank: 35

TIEIX

TIEIX Risk / Return Rank: 63
TIEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
TIEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
TIEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
TIEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TIEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

JCE vs. TIEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE) and Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	JCE	TIEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	2.10	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	2.85	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.38	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	3.04	-1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.35	13.55	-6.20

JCE vs. TIEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JCE Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the TIEIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JCE and TIEIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JCE vs. TIEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JCE drawdown since its inception was -57.63%, roughly equal to the maximum TIEIX drawdown of -55.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JCE and TIEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JCE	TIEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.63%	-55.55%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.86%	-8.84%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.00%	-19.29%	+0.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.24%	-25.06%	-5.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.56%	-34.90%	-8.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.50%	-1.47%	-1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.24%	-10.28%	+1.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	1.98%	+0.34%

Volatility

JCE vs. TIEIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE) is 4.19%, while Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX) has a volatility of 4.73%. This indicates that JCE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TIEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JCE	TIEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	4.73%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.74%	10.07%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.59%	12.81%	+0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.97%	17.40%	+5.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.56%	18.45%	+4.11%

JCE vs. TIEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JCE has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than TIEIX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

JCE vs. TIEIX - Dividend Comparison

JCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.46%, more than TIEIX's 2.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JCE Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund	8.46%	8.03%	8.05%	9.45%	17.22%	9.89%	6.57%	6.84%	9.23%	17.33%	8.68%	19.27%
TIEIX Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I	2.17%	2.39%	1.63%	1.47%	1.83%	2.08%	1.43%	1.99%	2.45%	0.52%	2.45%	1.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JCE and TIEIX in my portfolio?

JCE and TIEIX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JCE or TIEIX?

TIEIX has higher volatility (4.73%) compared to JCE (4.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JCE dropped -57.63% vs TIEIX's -55.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.26), 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.