TEMLX vs. LZEMX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TEMLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and LZEMX (Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, TEMLX returned 9.41%/yr vs 11.16%/yr for LZEMX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TEMLX charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for LZEMX.

Performance

TEMLX vs. LZEMX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TEMLX having a 24.68% return and LZEMX slightly higher at 25.47%. Over the past 10 years, TEMLX has underperformed LZEMX with an annualized return of 9.41%, while LZEMX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.16% annualized return.

TEMLX

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 6.88%
• YTD: 24.68%
• 6M: 26.42%
• 1Y: 53.39%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 4.14%
• 10Y*: 9.41%

LZEMX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 25.47%
• 6M: 26.70%
• 1Y: 52.07%
• 3Y*: 27.62%
• 5Y*: 13.62%
• 10Y*: 11.16%

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

TEMLX vs. LZEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	24.68%	36.01%	-0.29%	13.98%	-20.02%	-16.65%	18.19%	28.64%	-18.17%	44.30%
LZEMX Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio	25.47%	41.35%	7.60%	22.44%	-14.86%	5.37%	-0.07%	18.06%	-18.11%	28.02%

Correlation

The correlation between TEMLX and LZEMX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2011	0.87

The correlation between TEMLX and LZEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TEMLX vs. LZEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEMLX

TEMLX Risk / Return Rank: 78
TEMLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
TEMLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
TEMLX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
TEMLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
TEMLX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

LZEMX

LZEMX Risk / Return Rank: 95
LZEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
LZEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
LZEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
LZEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
LZEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. LZEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TEMLX) and Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX). 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	LZEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	3.73	-1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	4.76	-1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.69	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.77	5.04	-1.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.71	18.06	-4.35

TEMLX vs. LZEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEMLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is lower than the LZEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEMLX and LZEMX, 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. LZEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEMLX drawdown since its inception was -47.40%, smaller than the maximum LZEMX drawdown of -60.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEMLX and LZEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEMLX	LZEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.40%	-60.08%	+12.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.26%	-10.42%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-14.27%	-6.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.88%	-29.29%	-15.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.40%	-44.08%	-3.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.39%	-1.17%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.71%	-16.61%	-1.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.90%	2.90%	+1.00%

Volatility

TEMLX vs. LZEMX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TEMLX) has a higher volatility of 10.76% compared to Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX) at 5.48%. This indicates that TEMLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LZEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEMLX	LZEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.76%	5.48%	+5.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.82%	11.82%	+7.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.43%	14.09%	+7.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.13%	14.44%	+5.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.23%	16.41%	+3.82%

TEMLX vs. LZEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEMLX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than LZEMX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEMLX vs. LZEMX - Dividend Comparison

TEMLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, more than LZEMX's 1.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LZEMX Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio	1.63%	2.05%	3.11%	3.76%	5.92%	4.89%	2.11%	2.45%	2.10%	1.99%	1.48%	2.14%
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	2.77%	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 LZEMX in my portfolio?

TEMLX and LZEMX have a correlation of 0.83, 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 LZEMX?

TEMLX has higher volatility (10.76%) compared to LZEMX (5.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEMLX dropped -47.40% vs LZEMX's -60.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LZEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.73 vs 2.51), 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.