TIBWX vs. VTIIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TIBWX (TIAA-CREF International Bond Fund) and VTIIX (Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class) are both Global Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, TIBWX returned 1.11%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for VTIIX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TIBWX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for VTIIX.

Performance

TIBWX vs. VTIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF International Bond Fund (TIBWX) and Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class (VTIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TIBWX having a 0.68% return and VTIIX slightly lower at 0.66%.

TIBWX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: 0.64%
• 1Y: 3.28%
• 3Y*: 5.11%
• 5Y*: 1.11%
• 10Y*: —

VTIIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.93%
• YTD: 0.66%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 2.12%
• 3Y*: 4.11%
• 5Y*: 0.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

TIBWX vs. VTIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TIBWX TIAA-CREF International Bond Fund	0.68%	4.24%	4.60%	9.06%	-11.39%	-0.33%
VTIIX Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class	0.66%	2.95%	3.82%	8.72%	-13.03%	-0.52%

Correlation

The correlation between TIBWX and VTIIX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021	0.85

The correlation between TIBWX and VTIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TIBWX vs. VTIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIBWX

TIBWX Risk / Return Rank: 17
TIBWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
TIBWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
TIBWX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
TIBWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
TIBWX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

VTIIX

VTIIX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VTIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VTIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VTIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VTIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VTIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

TIBWX vs. VTIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF International Bond Fund (TIBWX) and Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class (VTIIX). 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.

	TIBWX	VTIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	0.71	+0.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	1.03	+0.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.13	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	0.76	+0.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.48	2.15	+1.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TIBWX vs. VTIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIBWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is higher than the VTIIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIBWX and VTIIX, 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

	TIBWX	VTIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	0.71	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.09	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.05	+0.72

Drawdowns

TIBWX vs. VTIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIBWX drawdown since its inception was -16.47%, roughly equal to the maximum VTIIX drawdown of -15.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIBWX and VTIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIBWX	VTIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.47%	-15.95%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.99%	-2.94%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.99%	-2.94%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.06%	-15.95%	-0.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-1.25%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.26%	-6.05%	+2.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	1.04%	-0.09%

Volatility

TIBWX vs. VTIIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF International Bond Fund (TIBWX) is 1.05%, while Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class (VTIIX) has a volatility of 1.32%. This indicates that TIBWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TIBWX	VTIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	1.32%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.25%	2.66%	-0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59%	3.14%	-0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.39%	4.53%	-1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.31%	4.44%	-1.13%

TIBWX vs. VTIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIBWX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIIX's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIBWX vs. VTIIX - Dividend Comparison

TIBWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than VTIIX's 4.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIBWX TIAA-CREF International Bond Fund	1.52%	1.53%	1.95%	0.24%	11.88%	2.03%	2.75%	5.40%	3.93%	1.47%
VTIIX Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class	4.30%	4.21%	4.46%	4.16%	0.89%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIBWX and VTIIX in my portfolio?

TIBWX and VTIIX 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, TIBWX or VTIIX?

VTIIX has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to TIBWX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIBWX dropped -16.47% vs VTIIX's -15.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIBWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.71), 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.