QCGRIX vs. EFCNX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) and Emerald Insights Fund (EFCNX).

QCGRIX is an actively managed fund by TIAA-CREF. It was launched on Apr 24, 2015. EFCNX is managed by Emerald. It was launched on Aug 1, 2014.

Performance

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) and Emerald Insights Fund (EFCNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCGRIX CREF Growth Account Class R3	-9.56%	14.41%	0.00%
EFCNX Emerald Insights Fund	0.00%	28.71%	-1.60%

Returns By Period

QCGRIX

• 1D: 3.91%
• 1M: -5.14%
• YTD: -9.56%
• 6M: -8.71%
• 1Y: 17.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EFCNX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 45.34%
• 3Y*: 25.53%
• 5Y*: 11.21%
• 10Y*: 16.72%

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

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCGRIX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than EFCNX's 1.40% expense ratio.

EFCNX

Emerald Insights Fund

QCGRIX

CREF Growth Account Class R3

Return for Risk

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCGRIX

QCGRIX Risk / Return Rank: 31
QCGRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
QCGRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
QCGRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
QCGRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
QCGRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

EFCNX

EFCNX Risk / Return Rank: 68
EFCNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
EFCNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
EFCNX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
EFCNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
EFCNX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) and Emerald Insights Fund (EFCNX). 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.

	QCGRIX	EFCNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	2.43	-1.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.37	3.41	-2.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.84	-0.66
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.94	0.87	+0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.14	3.10	+0.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCGRIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is lower than the EFCNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCGRIX and EFCNX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QCGRIX	EFCNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92	2.43	-1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.63	-0.50

Correlation

The correlation between QCGRIX and EFCNX is 0.64, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX - Dividend Comparison

QCGRIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EFCNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.50%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QCGRIX CREF Growth Account Class R3	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EFCNX Emerald Insights Fund	8.50%	8.50%	1.27%	0.00%	5.41%	15.80%	9.41%	0.04%	27.51%

Drawdowns

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCGRIX drawdown since its inception was -23.93%, smaller than the maximum EFCNX drawdown of -38.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCGRIX and EFCNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCGRIX	EFCNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.93%	-38.34%	+14.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.69%	-14.32%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.34%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.43%	0.00%	-13.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.27%	-8.74%	+3.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.00%	7.45%	-2.45%

Volatility

QCGRIX vs. EFCNX - Volatility Comparison

CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) has a higher volatility of 7.18% compared to Emerald Insights Fund (EFCNX) at 0.00%. This indicates that QCGRIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFCNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCGRIX	EFCNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.18%	0.00%	+7.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.49%	5.20%	+8.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.69%	22.14%	-1.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.46%	23.15%	-1.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.46%	22.85%	-1.39%