TIEIX vs. TCIEX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TIEIX (Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I) and TCIEX (TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - TIEIX tracks the Russell 3000 Index while TCIEX tracks the MSCI EAFE Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TIEIX returned 14.85%/yr vs 9.64%/yr for TCIEX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TIEIX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TCIEX.

Performance

TIEIX vs. TCIEX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TIEIX having a 10.43% return and TCIEX slightly higher at 10.59%. Over the past 10 years, TIEIX has outperformed TCIEX with an annualized return of 14.85%, while TCIEX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.64% annualized return.

TIEIX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 10.43%
• 6M: 9.68%
• 1Y: 27.05%
• 3Y*: 20.52%
• 5Y*: 12.88%
• 10Y*: 14.85%

TCIEX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.99%
• YTD: 10.59%
• 6M: 10.95%
• 1Y: 25.22%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 9.64%

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

TIEIX vs. TCIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIEIX Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I	10.43%	17.04%	23.71%	25.92%	-19.18%	25.64%	20.82%	30.89%	-5.27%	19.05%
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	10.59%	31.55%	3.69%	18.21%	-14.19%	11.30%	8.13%	21.82%	-13.27%	25.34%

Correlation

The correlation between TIEIX and TCIEX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2003	0.75

The correlation between TIEIX and TCIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TIEIX vs. TCIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIEIX

TIEIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
TIEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
TIEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
TIEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
TIEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TIEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

TCIEX

TCIEX Risk / Return Rank: 35
TCIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
TCIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
TCIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
TCIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
TCIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. TCIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX) 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.

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.

	TIEIX	TCIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	1.57	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.25	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.28	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	2.15	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.64	8.04	+5.60

TIEIX vs. TCIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIEIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is higher than the TCIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIEIX 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.

Drawdowns

TIEIX vs. TCIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIEIX drawdown since its inception was -55.55%, smaller than the maximum TCIEX drawdown of -59.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIEIX and TCIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIEIX	TCIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.55%	-59.27%	+3.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-11.35%	+2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.29%	-13.58%	-5.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-29.25%	+4.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.90%	-33.58%	-1.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.15%	0.00%	-1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.28%	-10.56%	+0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	3.03%	-1.06%

Volatility

TIEIX vs. TCIEX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX) and TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class (TCIEX) have volatilities of 4.84% and 4.97%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TIEIX	TCIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.84%	4.97%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.07%	12.92%	-2.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	15.54%	-2.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.41%	16.19%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.44%	16.66%	+1.78%

TIEIX vs. TCIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIEIX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than TCIEX'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

TIEIX vs. TCIEX - Dividend Comparison

TIEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than TCIEX's 3.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TCIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund Institutional Class	3.52%	3.89%	3.17%	3.14%	2.82%	3.02%	1.96%	3.08%	3.42%	2.78%	2.95%	3.06%
TIEIX Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I	2.17%	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 TCIEX in my portfolio?

TIEIX and TCIEX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TIEIX or TCIEX?

TCIEX has higher volatility (4.97%) compared to TIEIX (4.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIEIX dropped -55.55% vs TCIEX's -59.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.57), 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.