TEMLX vs. COBYX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

TEMLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and COBYX (The Cook & Bynum Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, TEMLX returned 8.89%/yr vs 4.78%/yr for COBYX. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TEMLX charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.49%/yr for COBYX.

Performance

TEMLX vs. COBYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TEMLX) and The Cook & Bynum Fund (COBYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TEMLX achieves a 18.81% return, which is significantly higher than COBYX's 10.17% return. Over the past 10 years, TEMLX has outperformed COBYX with an annualized return of 8.89%, while COBYX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.78% annualized return.

TEMLX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -1.06%
• YTD: 18.81%
• 6M: 20.34%
• 1Y: 42.67%
• 3Y*: 18.75%
• 5Y*: 2.88%
• 10Y*: 8.89%

COBYX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 9.61%
• 1Y: 16.44%
• 3Y*: 7.69%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 4.78%

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

TEMLX vs. COBYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	18.81%	36.01%	-0.29%	13.98%	-20.02%	-16.65%	18.19%	28.64%	-18.17%	44.30%
COBYX The Cook & Bynum Fund	10.17%	20.50%	-10.32%	16.73%	9.28%	9.05%	-10.97%	9.40%	-13.40%	15.12%

Correlation

The correlation between TEMLX and COBYX is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between TEMLX and COBYX has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TEMLX vs. COBYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEMLX

TEMLX Risk / Return Rank: 67
TEMLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
TEMLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
TEMLX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TEMLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
TEMLX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

COBYX

COBYX Risk / Return Rank: 30
COBYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
COBYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
COBYX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
COBYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
COBYX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

TEMLX vs. COBYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TEMLX) and The Cook & Bynum Fund (COBYX). 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.

	TEMLX	COBYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	1.32	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	1.97	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.24	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	1.76	+1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.88	5.66	+5.22

TEMLX vs. COBYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEMLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is higher than the COBYX Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEMLX and COBYX, 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

TEMLX vs. COBYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEMLX drawdown since its inception was -47.40%, which is greater than COBYX's maximum drawdown of -34.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEMLX and COBYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEMLX	COBYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.40%	-34.18%	-13.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.26%	-8.95%	-5.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-16.29%	-4.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.88%	-17.10%	-27.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.40%	-34.18%	-13.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.04%	-1.62%	-4.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.70%	-6.77%	-10.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.95%	2.80%	+1.15%

Volatility

TEMLX vs. COBYX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TEMLX) has a higher volatility of 12.22% compared to The Cook & Bynum Fund (COBYX) at 3.10%. This indicates that TEMLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COBYX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEMLX	COBYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.22%	3.10%	+9.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.64%	9.57%	+10.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.09%	11.91%	+10.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.27%	13.99%	+6.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.25%	13.65%	+6.60%

TEMLX vs. COBYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEMLX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than COBYX's 1.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEMLX vs. COBYX - Dividend Comparison

TEMLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.91%, more than COBYX's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COBYX The Cook & Bynum Fund	1.07%	1.18%	0.00%	1.01%	1.16%	2.18%	0.32%	0.69%	12.60%	1.88%	5.09%	0.00%
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	2.91%	3.46%	2.64%	3.25%	0.05%	24.53%	8.93%	1.42%	4.51%	3.55%	0.93%	1.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEMLX and COBYX in my portfolio?

TEMLX and COBYX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TEMLX or COBYX?

TEMLX has higher volatility (12.22%) compared to COBYX (3.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEMLX dropped -47.40% vs COBYX's -34.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TEMLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.32), 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.