TEMLX vs. TLLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TEMLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) are both mutual funds - TEMLX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TLLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TEMLX returned 9.39%/yr vs 12.17%/yr for TLLIX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TEMLX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLLIX.

Performance

TEMLX vs. TLLIX - 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 Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TEMLX achieves a 26.44% return, which is significantly higher than TLLIX's 12.02% return. Over the past 10 years, TEMLX has underperformed TLLIX with an annualized return of 9.39%, while TLLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.17% annualized return.

TEMLX

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: 11.39%
• YTD: 26.44%
• 6M: 29.48%
• 1Y: 58.51%
• 3Y*: 22.23%
• 5Y*: 4.29%
• 10Y*: 9.39%

TLLIX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 12.74%
• 1Y: 27.72%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 10.53%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

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

TEMLX vs. TLLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	26.44%	36.01%	-0.29%	13.98%	-20.02%	-16.65%	18.19%	28.64%	-18.17%	44.30%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	12.02%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	17.20%	26.04%	-7.05%	19.20%

Correlation

The correlation between TEMLX and TLLIX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011	0.78

The correlation between TEMLX and TLLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TEMLX vs. TLLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEMLX

TEMLX Risk / Return Rank: 85
TEMLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
TEMLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
TEMLX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
TEMLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
TEMLX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

TLLIX

TLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
TLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
TLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. TLLIX - 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 Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). 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.

	TEMLX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.06	2.49	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.80	3.45	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.45	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.14	3.22	+0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.13	14.33	+1.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TEMLX vs. TLLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEMLX Sharpe Ratio is 3.06, which is comparable to the TLLIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEMLX and TLLIX, 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

	TEMLX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06	2.49	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.73	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.79	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.74	-0.52

Drawdowns

TEMLX vs. TLLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEMLX drawdown since its inception was -47.40%, which is greater than TLLIX's maximum drawdown of -31.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEMLX and TLLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEMLX	TLLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.40%	-31.41%	-15.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.26%	-8.79%	-5.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-14.90%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.15%	-25.38%	-19.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.40%	-31.41%	-15.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.75%	-4.16%	-13.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	1.97%	+1.68%

Volatility

TEMLX vs. TLLIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TEMLX) has a higher volatility of 7.91% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) at 3.38%. This indicates that TEMLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEMLX	TLLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.91%	3.38%	+4.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.24%	9.03%	+7.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.32%	11.36%	+7.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.69%	14.47%	+5.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.04%	15.52%	+4.52%

TEMLX vs. TLLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEMLX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than TLLIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEMLX vs. TLLIX - Dividend Comparison

TEMLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than TLLIX's 2.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TEMLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Fund	2.73%	3.46%	2.64%	3.25%	0.05%	24.53%	8.93%	1.42%	4.51%	3.55%	0.93%	1.00%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	2.79%	3.12%	2.26%	2.17%	2.35%	2.29%	1.71%	2.25%	2.67%	0.15%	2.57%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEMLX and TLLIX in my portfolio?

TEMLX and TLLIX have a correlation of 0.75, 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 TLLIX?

TEMLX has higher volatility (7.91%) compared to TLLIX (3.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEMLX dropped -47.40% vs TLLIX's -31.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TEMLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 2.49), 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.