SMQFX vs. TEQLX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) and TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX).

SMQFX is managed by SEI. It was launched on Oct 30, 2014. TEQLX is managed by TIAA Investments. It was launched on Aug 30, 2010.

Performance

SMQFX vs. TEQLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) and TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SMQFX vs. TEQLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	3.63%	40.14%	9.19%	16.67%	-19.31%	8.09%	17.33%	18.91%	-17.67%	33.53%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.92%	34.10%	6.71%	9.23%	-20.22%	-3.07%	17.67%	18.59%	-14.60%	37.47%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMQFX achieves a 3.63% return, which is significantly higher than TEQLX's 2.92% return. Over the past 10 years, SMQFX has outperformed TEQLX with an annualized return of 10.05%, while TEQLX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.93% annualized return.

SMQFX

• 1D: 2.59%
• 1M: -9.67%
• YTD: 3.63%
• 6M: 8.39%
• 1Y: 41.86%
• 3Y*: 20.31%
• 5Y*: 8.72%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

TEQLX

• 1D: 2.77%
• 1M: -9.01%
• YTD: 2.92%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 32.01%
• 3Y*: 15.51%
• 5Y*: 3.58%
• 10Y*: 7.93%

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

SMQFX vs. TEQLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMQFX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than TEQLX's 0.19% expense ratio.

SMQFX

SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund

TEQLX

TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund

Return for Risk

SMQFX vs. TEQLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMQFX

SMQFX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMQFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMQFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMQFX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SMQFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SMQFX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

TEQLX

TEQLX Risk / Return Rank: 86
TEQLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
TEQLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
TEQLX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
TEQLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
TEQLX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

SMQFX vs. TEQLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) 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.

	SMQFX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	1.87	+0.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	2.44	+0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.36	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	2.24	+0.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.44	8.90	+3.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMQFX vs. TEQLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMQFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is higher than the TEQLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMQFX and TEQLX, 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

	SMQFX	TEQLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	1.87	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.22	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.46	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.27	+0.19

Correlation

The correlation between SMQFX and TEQLX is 0.93, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SMQFX vs. TEQLX - Dividend Comparison

SMQFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 29.17%, more than TEQLX's 2.75% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	29.17%	30.23%	6.43%	3.24%	5.32%	17.70%	1.80%	1.89%	11.55%	2.70%	2.15%	1.69%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.75%	2.83%	2.93%	3.08%	2.51%	2.27%	2.04%	2.77%	2.43%	1.98%	1.88%	2.40%

Drawdowns

SMQFX vs. TEQLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMQFX drawdown since its inception was -40.14%, roughly equal to the maximum TEQLX drawdown of -39.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMQFX and TEQLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMQFX	TEQLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.14%	-39.33%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.62%	-13.32%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.37%	-37.14%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.14%	-39.33%	-0.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.38%	-10.91%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.20%	-14.74%	+2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	3.35%	+0.03%

Volatility

SMQFX vs. TEQLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) is 8.30%, while TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) has a volatility of 9.21%. This indicates that SMQFX 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

	SMQFX	TEQLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.30%	9.21%	-0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.40%	13.55%	-1.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.65%	17.70%	-1.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	16.54%	+0.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.71%	17.46%	-0.75%