SAEMX vs. TEQLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SAEMX (SA Emerging Markets Value Fund) and TEQLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, SAEMX returned 10.62%/yr vs 10.64%/yr for TEQLX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SAEMX charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for TEQLX.

Performance

SAEMX vs. TEQLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX) 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, SAEMX achieves a 28.08% return, which is significantly lower than TEQLX's 30.13% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SAEMX having a 10.62% annualized return and TEQLX not far ahead at 10.64%.

SAEMX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 10.10%
• YTD: 28.08%
• 6M: 31.12%
• 1Y: 52.75%
• 3Y*: 24.07%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 10.62%

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)

SAEMX vs. TEQLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAEMX SA Emerging Markets Value Fund	28.08%	29.21%	5.47%	15.72%	-11.61%	10.51%	0.88%	8.05%	-12.11%	31.24%
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 SAEMX and TEQLX is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 2010	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between SAEMX and TEQLX has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

SAEMX vs. TEQLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAEMX

SAEMX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SAEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SAEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SAEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SAEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SAEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

SAEMX vs. TEQLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX) 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.

	SAEMX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.78	3.33	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.70	4.18	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.62	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.95	4.50	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.35	17.79	+0.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAEMX vs. TEQLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAEMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.78, which is comparable to the TEQLX Sharpe Ratio of 3.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAEMX 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

	SAEMX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78	3.33	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.47	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.60	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.35	-0.13

Drawdowns

SAEMX vs. TEQLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAEMX drawdown since its inception was -63.08%, which is greater than TEQLX's maximum drawdown of -39.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAEMX and TEQLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAEMX	TEQLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.08%	-39.33%	-23.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.22%	-13.32%	+1.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.80%	-15.97%	-1.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.85%	-37.05%	+11.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.23%	-39.33%	-9.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.22%	-14.61%	-2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	3.35%	-0.21%

Volatility

SAEMX vs. TEQLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX) is 5.60%, while TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) has a volatility of 7.75%. This indicates that SAEMX 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

	SAEMX	TEQLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.60%	7.75%	-2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.35%	15.43%	-2.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.11%	17.98%	-1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.93%	16.99%	-2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.54%	17.68%	-2.14%

SAEMX vs. TEQLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAEMX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than TEQLX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAEMX vs. TEQLX - Dividend Comparison

SAEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, more than TEQLX's 2.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAEMX SA Emerging Markets Value Fund	2.68%	3.43%	4.37%	4.07%	3.54%	2.86%	1.76%	2.18%	1.78%	1.28%	1.23%	1.25%
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 SAEMX and TEQLX in my portfolio?

SAEMX and TEQLX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAEMX or TEQLX?

TEQLX has higher volatility (7.75%) compared to SAEMX (5.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAEMX dropped -63.08% vs TEQLX's -39.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 3.33), 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.