TEDNX vs. MEDIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TEDNX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Debt Fund) and MEDIX (MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, TEDNX returned 5.07%/yr vs 3.73%/yr for MEDIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TEDNX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.81%/yr for MEDIX.

Performance

TEDNX vs. MEDIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Debt Fund (TEDNX) and MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund (MEDIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TEDNX achieves a 0.99% return, which is significantly lower than MEDIX's 2.46% return. Over the past 10 years, TEDNX has outperformed MEDIX with an annualized return of 5.07%, while MEDIX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.73% annualized return.

TEDNX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 0.99%
• 6M: 1.67%
• 1Y: 11.25%
• 3Y*: 11.19%
• 5Y*: 3.51%
• 10Y*: 5.07%

MEDIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 2.46%
• 6M: 3.09%
• 1Y: 12.40%
• 3Y*: 9.48%
• 5Y*: 2.13%
• 10Y*: 3.73%

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

TEDNX vs. MEDIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TEDNX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Debt Fund	0.99%	13.84%	8.61%	12.56%	-14.41%	-0.86%	6.13%	17.49%	-5.95%	12.07%
MEDIX MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund	2.46%	12.48%	5.92%	9.42%	-15.97%	-2.40%	8.01%	14.12%	-4.99%	9.64%

Correlation

The correlation between TEDNX and MEDIX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.87

The correlation between TEDNX and MEDIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TEDNX vs. MEDIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEDNX

TEDNX Risk / Return Rank: 66
TEDNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
TEDNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
TEDNX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
TEDNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
TEDNX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

MEDIX

MEDIX Risk / Return Rank: 84
MEDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
MEDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
MEDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
MEDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
MEDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

TEDNX vs. MEDIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Debt Fund (TEDNX) and MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund (MEDIX). 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.

	TEDNX	MEDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	3.25	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.86	5.40	-1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.70	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	3.09	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.62	13.52	-4.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TEDNX vs. MEDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEDNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is comparable to the MEDIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEDNX and MEDIX, 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

	TEDNX	MEDIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79	3.25	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.36	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.64	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.98	-0.14

Drawdowns

TEDNX vs. MEDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEDNX drawdown since its inception was -25.65%, smaller than the maximum MEDIX drawdown of -35.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEDNX and MEDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEDNX	MEDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.65%	-35.31%	+9.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.36%	-4.12%	-1.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.77%	-7.48%	+1.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.65%	-27.40%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.65%	-27.40%	+1.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	0.00%	-1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.66%	-4.44%	-0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.33%	0.94%	+0.39%

Volatility

TEDNX vs. MEDIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Debt Fund (TEDNX) is 1.27%, while MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund (MEDIX) has a volatility of 1.39%. This indicates that TEDNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MEDIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEDNX	MEDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	1.39%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.62%	3.22%	+0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.11%	3.92%	+0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.43%	5.89%	-0.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.07%	5.87%	+0.20%

TEDNX vs. MEDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEDNX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is lower than MEDIX's 0.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEDNX vs. MEDIX - Dividend Comparison

TEDNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, less than MEDIX's 5.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MEDIX MFS Emerging Markets Debt Fund	5.04%	5.22%	5.68%	4.90%	5.51%	4.33%	4.07%	4.59%	4.87%	4.46%	4.86%	5.25%
TEDNX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Debt Fund	4.63%	5.80%	6.58%	5.03%	6.15%	4.81%	4.27%	5.28%	5.58%	5.93%	5.56%	5.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEDNX and MEDIX in my portfolio?

TEDNX and MEDIX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TEDNX or MEDIX?

MEDIX has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to TEDNX (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEDNX dropped -25.65% vs MEDIX's -35.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MEDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 2.79), 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.