TIBFX vs. TCIEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TIBFX (TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class) and TCIEX (TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - TIBFX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TCIEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index. Over the past 10 years, TIBFX returned 2.30%/yr vs 9.38%/yr for TCIEX. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. TIBFX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TCIEX.

Performance

TIBFX vs. TCIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class (TIBFX) and TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TIBFX achieves a 0.80% return, which is significantly lower than TCIEX's 9.52% return. Over the past 10 years, TIBFX has underperformed TCIEX with an annualized return of 2.30%, while TCIEX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.38% annualized return.

TIBFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 0.87%
• 1Y: 6.07%
• 3Y*: 4.79%
• 5Y*: 0.54%
• 10Y*: 2.30%

TCIEX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: 9.52%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 17.07%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 9.38%

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

TIBFX vs. TCIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIBFX TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class	0.80%	7.36%	2.34%	6.66%	-13.84%	-0.32%	8.22%	9.71%	-0.53%	4.83%
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	9.52%	31.55%	3.69%	18.21%	-14.19%	11.30%	8.13%	21.82%	-13.27%	25.34%

Correlation

The correlation between TIBFX and TCIEX is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2006	-0.01

The correlation between TIBFX and TCIEX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TIBFX vs. TCIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIBFX

TIBFX Risk / Return Rank: 32
TIBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
TIBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
TIBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
TIBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TIBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

TCIEX

TCIEX Risk / Return Rank: 26
TCIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
TCIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
TCIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
TCIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
TCIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

TIBFX vs. TCIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class (TIBFX) and TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX). 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.

	TIBFX	TCIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.42	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.04	+0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.26	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	1.89	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.81	7.06	-0.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TIBFX vs. TCIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIBFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the TCIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIBFX and TCIEX, 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

	TIBFX	TCIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.42	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.55	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.57	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.41	+0.44

Drawdowns

TIBFX vs. TCIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIBFX drawdown since its inception was -18.92%, smaller than the maximum TCIEX drawdown of -59.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIBFX and TCIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIBFX	TCIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.92%	-59.27%	+40.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.98%	-11.35%	+8.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.67%	-13.58%	+7.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.92%	-29.25%	+10.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.92%	-33.58%	+14.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-0.49%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.62%	-10.58%	+7.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	3.02%	-2.13%

Volatility

TIBFX vs. TCIEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class (TIBFX) is 1.36%, while TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX) has a volatility of 4.65%. This indicates that TIBFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TCIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TIBFX	TCIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.36%	4.65%	-3.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.75%	12.25%	-9.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.72%	15.11%	-11.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.43%	16.10%	-10.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.57%	16.65%	-12.08%

TIBFX vs. TCIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIBFX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than TCIEX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIBFX vs. TCIEX - Dividend Comparison

TIBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.71%, more than TCIEX's 3.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	3.55%	3.89%	3.17%	3.14%	2.82%	3.02%	1.96%	3.08%	3.42%	2.78%	2.95%	3.06%
TIBFX TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class	4.71%	4.55%	3.87%	3.84%	2.85%	3.76%	3.71%	3.24%	3.08%	3.16%	4.14%	3.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIBFX and TCIEX in my portfolio?

TIBFX and TCIEX have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TIBFX or TCIEX?

TCIEX has higher volatility (4.65%) compared to TIBFX (1.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIBFX dropped -18.92% vs TCIEX's -59.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.42), 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.