TEMLX vs. TIREX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

TEMLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and TIREX (TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - TEMLX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by TIAA, while TIREX is a REIT fund managed by TIAA. Over the past 10 years, TEMLX returned 7.17%/yr vs 6.13%/yr for TIREX. Their 0.44 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. TEMLX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for TIREX.

Performance

TEMLX vs. TIREX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TEMLX achieves a 10.87% return, which is significantly lower than TIREX's 15.90% return. Over the past 10 years, TEMLX has outperformed TIREX with an annualized return of 7.17%, while TIREX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.13% annualized return.

TEMLX

• 1D: 3.47%
• 1M: -3.50%
• 6M: 2.35%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 1Y: 32.09%
• 3Y*: 13.40%
• 5Y*: 3.75%
• 10Y*: 7.17%
• ALL TIME*: 3.25%

TIREX

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: 1.54%
• 6M: 13.91%
• YTD: 15.90%
• 1Y: 19.11%
• 3Y*: 9.72%
• 5Y*: 2.10%
• 10Y*: 6.13%
• ALL TIME*: 9.20%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
TIREX TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

TEMLX vs. TIREX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	10.87%	36.01%	-0.29%	13.98%	-20.02%	-16.65%	18.19%	28.64%	-18.17%	44.30%
TIREX TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class	15.90%	2.10%	5.30%	12.16%	-28.74%	39.39%	1.29%	31.09%	-4.06%	11.73%

Correlation

The correlation between TEMLX and TIREX is 0.05, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.05
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2011	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between TEMLX and TIREX has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TEMLX vs. TIREX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TEMLX

TEMLX Risk / Return Rank: 42
TEMLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
TEMLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
TEMLX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
TEMLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
TEMLX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

TIREX

TIREX Risk / Return Rank: 50
TIREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
TIREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
TIREX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
TIREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
TIREX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TEMLX vs. TIREX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TEMLX) and TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class (TIREX). 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	TIREX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.25	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.67	1.79	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.22	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	2.00	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.98	7.24	-1.26

TEMLX vs. TIREX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEMLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the TIREX Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEMLX and TIREX, 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. TIREX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEMLX drawdown since its inception was -47.40%, smaller than the maximum TIREX drawdown of -74.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEMLX and TIREX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEMLX	TIREX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.40%	-74.18%	+26.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.26%	-8.55%	-6.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-17.95%	-2.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.70%	-35.67%	-3.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.40%	-39.26%	-8.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.32%	-2.11%	-10.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.65%	-13.41%	-4.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.93%	2.44%	+2.49%

Volatility

TEMLX vs. TIREX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TEMLX) has a higher volatility of 9.71% compared to TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class (TIREX) at 4.36%. This indicates that TEMLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TIREX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEMLX	TIREX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.71%	4.36%	+5.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.59%	10.89%	+10.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.00%	13.71%	+10.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.57%	18.89%	+1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.44%	20.19%	+0.25%

TEMLX vs. TIREX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEMLX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than TIREX's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEMLX vs. TIREX - Dividend Comparison

TEMLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, more than TIREX's 2.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	3.12%	3.46%	2.64%	3.25%	0.05%	24.53%	8.93%	1.42%	4.51%	3.55%	0.93%	1.00%
TIREX TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class	2.37%	3.56%	3.08%	2.71%	5.13%	3.07%	1.80%	6.18%	3.54%	7.20%	4.16%	5.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEMLX and TIREX in my portfolio?

TEMLX and TIREX have a correlation of 0.05, 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 TIREX?

TEMLX has higher volatility (9.71%) compared to TIREX (4.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEMLX dropped -47.40% vs TIREX's -74.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIREX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 1.23), 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.