PGEIX vs. TEQLX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PGEIX (Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund) and TEQLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past year, PGEIX returned -4.86% vs 34.41% for TEQLX. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PGEIX charges 1.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for TEQLX.

Performance

PGEIX vs. TEQLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund (PGEIX) 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, PGEIX achieves a -9.73% return, which is significantly lower than TEQLX's 16.24% return.

PGEIX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -6.74%
• 6M: -15.57%
• YTD: -9.73%
• 1Y: -4.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.79%

TEQLX

• 1D: 3.88%
• 1M: -3.43%
• 6M: 7.44%
• YTD: 16.24%
• 1Y: 34.41%
• 3Y*: 17.56%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 8.49%
• ALL TIME*: 5.39%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PGEIX Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PGEIX vs. TEQLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PGEIX Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund	-9.73%	16.07%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	16.24%	29.41%

Correlation

The correlation between PGEIX and TEQLX is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2025	0.79

The correlation between PGEIX and TEQLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGEIX vs. TEQLX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PGEIX

PGEIX Risk / Return Rank: 3
PGEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
PGEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PGEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PGEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
PGEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

TEQLX

TEQLX Risk / Return Rank: 58
TEQLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
TEQLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
TEQLX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
TEQLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TEQLX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PGEIX vs. TEQLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund (PGEIX) 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.

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.

	PGEIX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.17	1.39	-1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.04	1.87	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.27	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	2.24	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.46	7.21	-7.67

PGEIX vs. TEQLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGEIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.17, which is lower than the TEQLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGEIX 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.

Drawdowns

PGEIX vs. TEQLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGEIX drawdown since its inception was -32.63%, smaller than the maximum TEQLX drawdown of -39.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGEIX and TEQLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGEIX	TEQLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.63%	-39.33%	+6.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.63%	-14.29%	-18.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.97%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.45%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.63%	-10.97%	-21.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.32%	-14.52%	+7.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.20%	4.43%	+8.77%

Volatility

PGEIX vs. TEQLX - Volatility Comparison

Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund (PGEIX) has a higher volatility of 10.52% compared to TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) at 9.78%. This indicates that PGEIX'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

	PGEIX	TEQLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.52%	9.78%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.56%	21.12%	+15.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.30%	23.02%	+15.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.04%	18.05%	+16.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.04%	18.14%	+16.90%

PGEIX vs. TEQLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGEIX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than TEQLX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGEIX vs. TEQLX - Dividend Comparison

PGEIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while TEQLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.43%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGEIX Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.43%	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 PGEIX and TEQLX in my portfolio?

PGEIX and TEQLX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PGEIX or TEQLX?

PGEIX has higher volatility (10.52%) compared to TEQLX (9.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGEIX dropped -32.63% vs TEQLX's -39.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TEQLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs -0.17), 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.