TEQLX vs. DEMIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TEQLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) and DEMIX (Delaware Emerging Markets Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, TEQLX returned 10.64%/yr vs 21.80%/yr for DEMIX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TEQLX charges 0.19%/yr vs 1.26%/yr for DEMIX.

Performance

TEQLX vs. DEMIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TEQLX achieves a 30.13% return, which is significantly lower than DEMIX's 112.88% return. Over the past 10 years, TEQLX has underperformed DEMIX with an annualized return of 10.64%, while DEMIX has yielded a comparatively higher 21.80% annualized return.

TEQLX

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: 10.66%
• YTD: 30.13%
• 6M: 33.10%
• 1Y: 59.14%
• 3Y*: 24.95%
• 5Y*: 7.91%
• 10Y*: 10.64%

DEMIX

• 1D: 2.49%
• 1M: 25.82%
• YTD: 112.88%
• 6M: 130.33%
• 1Y: 253.23%
• 3Y*: 66.83%
• 5Y*: 26.08%
• 10Y*: 21.80%

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

TEQLX vs. DEMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	30.13%	34.10%	6.71%	9.23%	-20.22%	-3.07%	17.67%	18.59%	-14.60%	37.47%
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	112.88%	86.79%	6.52%	17.59%	-28.66%	-2.08%	26.09%	24.33%	-17.10%	41.98%

Correlation

The correlation between TEQLX and DEMIX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 2010	0.91

The correlation between TEQLX and DEMIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TEQLX vs. DEMIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEQLX

TEQLX Risk / Return Rank: 90
TEQLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
TEQLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
TEQLX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
TEQLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
TEQLX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

DEMIX

DEMIX Risk / Return Rank: 98
DEMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
DEMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DEMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DEMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DEMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

TEQLX vs. DEMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) and Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX). 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.

	TEQLX	DEMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.33	6.75	-3.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.18	5.52	-1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.88	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.50	12.33	-7.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.79	46.85	-29.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TEQLX vs. DEMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEQLX Sharpe Ratio is 3.33, which is lower than the DEMIX Sharpe Ratio of 6.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEQLX and DEMIX, 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

	TEQLX	DEMIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.33	6.75	-3.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	1.04	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.95	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.54	-0.19

Drawdowns

TEQLX vs. DEMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEQLX drawdown since its inception was -39.33%, smaller than the maximum DEMIX drawdown of -63.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEQLX and DEMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEQLX	DEMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.33%	-63.15%	+23.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.32%	-21.01%	+7.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.97%	-22.62%	+6.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.05%	-43.95%	+6.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.33%	-46.29%	+6.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.61%	-18.46%	+3.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	5.51%	-2.16%

Volatility

TEQLX vs. DEMIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) is 7.75%, while Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) has a volatility of 17.10%. This indicates that TEQLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DEMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEQLX	DEMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.75%	17.10%	-9.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.43%	33.83%	-18.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.98%	38.39%	-20.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.99%	25.33%	-8.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.68%	23.14%	-5.46%

TEQLX vs. DEMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEQLX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than DEMIX's 1.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEQLX vs. DEMIX - Dividend Comparison

TEQLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than DEMIX's 8.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	8.91%	18.97%	1.99%	2.95%	1.89%	3.42%	0.87%	0.80%	0.65%	1.80%	0.94%	0.30%
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.17%	2.83%	2.93%	3.08%	2.51%	2.27%	2.04%	2.77%	2.43%	1.98%	1.88%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEQLX and DEMIX in my portfolio?

TEQLX and DEMIX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TEQLX or DEMIX?

DEMIX has higher volatility (17.10%) compared to TEQLX (7.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEQLX dropped -39.33% vs DEMIX's -63.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.75 vs 3.33), 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.