SFGIX vs. TEQLX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SFGIX (Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund) and TEQLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SFGIX returned 7.54%/yr vs 8.80%/yr for TEQLX. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SFGIX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for TEQLX.

Performance

SFGIX vs. TEQLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund (SFGIX) 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, SFGIX achieves a 16.21% return, which is significantly lower than TEQLX's 18.66% return. Over the past 10 years, SFGIX has underperformed TEQLX with an annualized return of 7.54%, while TEQLX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.80% annualized return.

SFGIX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 1.34%
• 6M: 6.60%
• YTD: 16.21%
• 1Y: 33.83%
• 3Y*: 13.77%
• 5Y*: 6.01%
• 10Y*: 7.54%
• ALL TIME*: 6.44%

TEQLX

• 1D: 2.08%
• 1M: -1.42%
• 6M: 9.89%
• YTD: 18.66%
• 1Y: 37.21%
• 3Y*: 18.77%
• 5Y*: 7.42%
• 10Y*: 8.80%
• ALL TIME*: 5.53%

*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)
SFGIX Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SFGIX vs. TEQLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SFGIX Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund	16.21%	32.47%	-5.52%	13.80%	-12.75%	-2.39%	22.17%	23.04%	-18.14%	25.99%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	18.66%	34.10%	6.71%	9.23%	-20.22%	-3.07%	17.67%	18.59%	-14.60%	37.47%

Correlation

The correlation between SFGIX and TEQLX is 0.82, 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.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.87

The correlation between SFGIX and TEQLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SFGIX vs. TEQLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFGIX

SFGIX Risk / Return Rank: 67
SFGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SFGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SFGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SFGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SFGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

TEQLX

TEQLX Risk / Return Rank: 58
TEQLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
TEQLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
TEQLX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
TEQLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
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.

SFGIX vs. TEQLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund (SFGIX) 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.

	SFGIX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.54	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	2.03	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.29	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	2.49	+0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.79	7.94	-0.15

SFGIX vs. TEQLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the TEQLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFGIX 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

SFGIX vs. TEQLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFGIX drawdown since its inception was -35.64%, smaller than the maximum TEQLX drawdown of -39.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFGIX and TEQLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFGIX	TEQLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.64%	-39.33%	+3.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.86%	-14.29%	+1.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.82%	-15.97%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.51%	-34.45%	+5.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.64%	-39.33%	+3.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.50%	-9.11%	+3.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.51%	-14.52%	+5.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.12%	4.47%	-0.35%

Volatility

SFGIX vs. TEQLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund (SFGIX) is 6.58%, while TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) has a volatility of 9.80%. This indicates that SFGIX 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

	SFGIX	TEQLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.58%	9.80%	-3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.46%	21.21%	-4.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	23.10%	-5.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.06%	18.06%	-3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.41%	18.15%	-2.74%

SFGIX vs. TEQLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFGIX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than TEQLX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFGIX vs. TEQLX - Dividend Comparison

SFGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.00%, more than TEQLX's 2.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SFGIX Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund	5.00%	3.39%	3.28%	1.70%	1.90%	8.82%	2.24%	2.49%	8.74%	2.95%	0.93%	1.30%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.38%	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 SFGIX and TEQLX in my portfolio?

SFGIX and TEQLX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFGIX or TEQLX?

TEQLX has higher volatility (9.80%) compared to SFGIX (6.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFGIX dropped -35.64% vs TEQLX's -39.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SFGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.54), 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.