TCIEX vs. TLLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCIEX (TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class) and TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) are both mutual funds - TCIEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index, while TLLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TCIEX returned 9.38%/yr vs 12.17%/yr for TLLIX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TCIEX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLLIX.

Performance

TCIEX vs. TLLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCIEX achieves a 9.52% return, which is significantly lower than TLLIX's 12.02% return. Over the past 10 years, TCIEX has underperformed TLLIX with an annualized return of 9.38%, while TLLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.17% annualized return.

TCIEX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: 9.52%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 17.07%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 9.38%

TLLIX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 12.74%
• 1Y: 27.72%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 10.53%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

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

TCIEX vs. TLLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	9.52%	31.55%	3.69%	18.21%	-14.19%	11.30%	8.13%	21.82%	-13.27%	25.34%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	12.02%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	17.20%	26.04%	-7.05%	19.20%

Correlation

The correlation between TCIEX and TLLIX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2009	0.89

The correlation between TCIEX and TLLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCIEX vs. TLLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCIEX

TCIEX Risk / Return Rank: 26
TCIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
TCIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
TCIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
TCIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
TCIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

TLLIX

TLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
TLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
TLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

TCIEX vs. TLLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). 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.

	TCIEX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	2.49	-1.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	3.45	-1.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.45	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	3.22	-1.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.06	14.33	-7.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TCIEX vs. TLLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCIEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is lower than the TLLIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCIEX and TLLIX, 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

	TCIEX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	2.49	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.73	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.79	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.74	-0.34

Drawdowns

TCIEX vs. TLLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCIEX drawdown since its inception was -59.27%, which is greater than TLLIX's maximum drawdown of -31.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCIEX and TLLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCIEX	TLLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.27%	-31.41%	-27.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.35%	-8.79%	-2.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.58%	-14.90%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	-25.38%	-3.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.58%	-31.41%	-2.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	0.00%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.58%	-4.16%	-6.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	1.97%	+1.05%

Volatility

TCIEX vs. TLLIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX) has a higher volatility of 4.65% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) at 3.38%. This indicates that TCIEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCIEX	TLLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.65%	3.38%	+1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	9.03%	+3.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.11%	11.36%	+3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.10%	14.47%	+1.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.65%	15.52%	+1.13%

TCIEX vs. TLLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCIEX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than TLLIX's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TCIEX vs. TLLIX - Dividend Comparison

TCIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, more than TLLIX's 2.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	3.55%	3.89%	3.17%	3.14%	2.82%	3.02%	1.96%	3.08%	3.42%	2.78%	2.95%	3.06%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	2.79%	3.12%	2.26%	2.17%	2.35%	2.29%	1.71%	2.25%	2.67%	0.15%	2.57%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCIEX and TLLIX in my portfolio?

TCIEX and TLLIX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCIEX or TLLIX?

TCIEX has higher volatility (4.65%) compared to TLLIX (3.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCIEX dropped -59.27% vs TLLIX's -31.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.42), 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.