TCIEX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCIEX (TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - TCIEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TCIEX returned 9.38%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VEA. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TCIEX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

TCIEX vs. VEA - 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 Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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 VEA's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, TCIEX has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 9.38%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.17% 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%

VEA

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

TCIEX vs. VEA - 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%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.92%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between TCIEX and VEA is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2007	0.97

The correlation between TCIEX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCIEX vs. VEA — 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

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. VEA - 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 Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	2.09	-0.67
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.87	-0.83
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.38	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	2.81	-0.92
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.06	10.94	-3.88
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. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCIEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCIEX and VEA, 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	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	2.09	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.58	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.59	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.25	+0.16

Drawdowns

TCIEX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCIEX drawdown since its inception was -59.27%, roughly equal to the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCIEX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCIEX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.27%	-60.68%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.35%	-11.63%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.58%	-13.45%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	-29.71%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.58%	-35.73%	+2.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-0.90%	+0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.58%	-13.29%	+2.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.98%	+0.04%

Volatility

TCIEX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX) is 4.65%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that TCIEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCIEX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.65%	5.66%	-1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	13.32%	-1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.11%	15.66%	-0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.10%	16.55%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.65%	17.36%	-0.71%

TCIEX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCIEX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio. However, 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. VEA - Dividend Comparison

TCIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, more than VEA's 2.62% 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%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCIEX and VEA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, TCIEX and VEA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TCIEX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to TCIEX (4.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCIEX dropped -59.27% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 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.