TIEIX vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TIEIX (TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund) and QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) are both funds - TIEIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while QLD is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). Over the past 10 years, TIEIX returned 14.90%/yr vs 36.10%/yr for QLD. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TIEIX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QLD.

Performance

TIEIX vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund (TIEIX) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TIEIX achieves a 11.71% return, which is significantly lower than QLD's 42.06% return. Over the past 10 years, TIEIX has underperformed QLD with an annualized return of 14.90%, while QLD has yielded a comparatively higher 36.10% annualized return.

TIEIX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 28.58%
• 3Y*: 22.19%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 14.90%

QLD

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 21.54%
• YTD: 42.06%
• 6M: 37.45%
• 1Y: 85.49%
• 3Y*: 50.15%
• 5Y*: 25.75%
• 10Y*: 36.10%

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

TIEIX vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIEIX TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund	11.71%	17.04%	23.71%	25.92%	-19.18%	25.64%	20.82%	30.89%	-5.27%	19.05%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	42.06%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-8.31%	70.34%

Correlation

The correlation between TIEIX and QLD is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006	0.89

The correlation between TIEIX and QLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TIEIX vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIEIX

TIEIX Risk / Return Rank: 70
TIEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
TIEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
TIEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
TIEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
TIEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 69
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

TIEIX vs. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund (TIEIX) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). 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.

	TIEIX	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.70	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.16	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.41	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	3.42	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.44	11.92	+3.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TIEIX vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIEIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIEIX and QLD, 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

	TIEIX	QLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.70	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.58	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.81	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.60	-0.16

Drawdowns

TIEIX vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIEIX drawdown since its inception was -55.55%, smaller than the maximum QLD drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIEIX and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIEIX	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.55%	-83.13%	+27.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-25.13%	+16.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.29%	-42.29%	+23.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-63.68%	+38.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.90%	-63.68%	+28.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.53%	+0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.30%	-18.17%	+7.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	7.20%	-5.28%

Volatility

TIEIX vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund (TIEIX) is 2.96%, while ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a volatility of 8.90%. This indicates that TIEIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TIEIX	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	8.90%	-5.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.17%	24.08%	-14.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.18%	31.85%	-19.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	44.74%	-27.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.40%	44.56%	-26.16%

TIEIX vs. QLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIEIX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than QLD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIEIX vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

TIEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, more than QLD's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.12%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%
TIEIX TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund	2.14%	2.39%	1.63%	1.47%	1.83%	2.08%	1.43%	1.99%	2.45%	0.52%	2.45%	1.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIEIX and QLD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TIEIX and QLD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TIEIX or QLD?

QLD has higher volatility (8.90%) compared to TIEIX (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIEIX dropped -55.55% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 2.44), 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.