TEQLX vs. VXUS

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

TEQLX (TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - TEQLX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by TIAA, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, TEQLX returned 8.49%/yr vs 9.44%/yr for VXUS. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. TEQLX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

TEQLX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TEQLX achieves a 16.24% return, which is significantly higher than VXUS's 12.75% return. Over the past 10 years, TEQLX has underperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 8.49%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.44% annualized return.

TEQLX

• 1D: 3.88%
• 1M: -3.43%
• 6M: 7.44%
• YTD: 16.24%
• 1Y: 34.41%
• 3Y*: 17.56%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 8.49%
• ALL TIME*: 5.39%

VXUS

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 6.78%
• YTD: 12.75%
• 1Y: 27.56%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 8.78%
• 10Y*: 9.44%
• ALL TIME*: 6.55%

*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)
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	$362.62M	$406.11M	$507.75M

TEQLX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	16.24%	34.10%	6.71%	9.23%	-20.22%	-3.07%	17.67%	18.59%	-14.60%	37.47%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	12.75%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between TEQLX and VXUS is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011	0.84

The correlation between TEQLX and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TEQLX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEQLX

TEQLX Risk / Return Rank: 58
TEQLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
TEQLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
TEQLX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
TEQLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TEQLX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 71
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

TEQLX vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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.

	TEQLX	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.62	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	2.24	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.30	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	2.42	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.21	8.87	-1.66

TEQLX vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEQLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEQLX and VXUS, 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

TEQLX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEQLX drawdown since its inception was -39.33%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEQLX and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEQLX	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.33%	-35.97%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.29%	-11.27%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.97%	-13.58%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.45%	-29.44%	-5.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.33%	-35.97%	-3.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.97%	-2.84%	-8.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.52%	-8.16%	-6.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	3.07%	+1.36%

Volatility

TEQLX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (TEQLX) has a higher volatility of 9.78% compared to Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) at 5.29%. This indicates that TEQLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEQLX	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.78%	5.29%	+4.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.12%	15.06%	+6.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.02%	16.86%	+6.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.05%	16.35%	+1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.14%	17.03%	+1.11%

TEQLX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEQLX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TEQLX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

TEQLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.43%, less than VXUS's 2.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TEQLX TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.43%	2.83%	2.93%	3.08%	2.51%	2.27%	2.04%	2.77%	2.43%	1.98%	1.88%	2.40%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.59%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEQLX and VXUS in my portfolio?

TEQLX and VXUS have a correlation of 0.82, 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 VXUS?

TEQLX has higher volatility (9.78%) compared to VXUS (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEQLX dropped -39.33% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.39), 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.