TCLOX vs. TCIEX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TCLOX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2040 Fund) and TCIEX (TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - TCLOX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TCIEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index. Over the past 10 years, TCLOX returned 10.57%/yr vs 10.23%/yr for TCIEX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TCLOX charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TCIEX.

Performance

TCLOX vs. TCIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2040 Fund (TCLOX) and TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCLOX achieves a 7.99% return, which is significantly lower than TCIEX's 10.77% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TCLOX having a 10.57% annualized return and TCIEX not far behind at 10.23%.

TCLOX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 7.99%
• 6M: 7.55%
• 1Y: 20.25%
• 3Y*: 15.27%
• 5Y*: 7.66%
• 10Y*: 10.57%

TCIEX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 2.15%
• YTD: 10.77%
• 6M: 10.26%
• 1Y: 24.50%
• 3Y*: 17.59%
• 5Y*: 9.31%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

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

TCLOX vs. TCIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCLOX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2040 Fund	7.99%	16.72%	12.55%	18.04%	-16.86%	13.93%	16.06%	24.38%	-9.26%	20.21%
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	10.77%	31.55%	3.69%	18.21%	-14.19%	11.30%	8.13%	21.82%	-13.27%	25.34%

Correlation

The correlation between TCLOX and TCIEX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
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 6, 2004	0.86

The correlation between TCLOX and TCIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCLOX vs. TCIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCLOX

TCLOX Risk / Return Rank: 55
TCLOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
TCLOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
TCLOX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
TCLOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
TCLOX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

TCIEX

TCIEX Risk / Return Rank: 38
TCIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
TCIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TCIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
TCIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
TCIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

TCLOX vs. TCIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2040 Fund (TCLOX) and TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX). 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.

	TCLOX	TCIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.65	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	2.34	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.30	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	2.26	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.23	8.43	+2.80

TCLOX vs. TCIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCLOX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the TCIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCLOX and TCIEX, 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

TCLOX vs. TCIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCLOX drawdown since its inception was -53.88%, smaller than the maximum TCIEX drawdown of -59.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLOX and TCIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCLOX	TCIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.88%	-59.27%	+5.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.09%	-11.35%	+3.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.40%	-13.58%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.27%	-29.25%	+4.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.12%	-33.58%	+3.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.57%	-10.56%	+2.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.88%	3.03%	-1.15%

Volatility

TCLOX vs. TCIEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2040 Fund (TCLOX) is 4.00%, while TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX) has a volatility of 4.80%. This indicates that TCLOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TCIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCLOX	TCIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	4.80%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.65%	12.90%	-4.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.55%	15.55%	-5.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.92%	16.19%	-3.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.25%	16.63%	-2.38%

TCLOX vs. TCIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCLOX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than TCIEX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCLOX vs. TCIEX - Dividend Comparison

TCLOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than TCIEX's 3.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	3.51%	3.89%	3.17%	3.14%	2.82%	3.02%	1.96%	3.08%	3.42%	2.78%	2.95%	3.06%
TCLOX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2040 Fund	4.57%	4.93%	2.49%	1.37%	5.82%	8.32%	5.54%	3.87%	7.20%	2.84%	5.28%	5.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCLOX and TCIEX in my portfolio?

TCLOX and TCIEX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCLOX or TCIEX?

TCIEX has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to TCLOX (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLOX dropped -53.88% vs TCIEX's -59.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TCLOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.65), 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.