TIEIX vs. TIREX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TIEIX (Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I) and TIREX (TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - TIEIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Index, while TIREX is a REIT fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TIEIX returned 15.07%/yr vs 6.65%/yr for TIREX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TIEIX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for TIREX.

Performance

TIEIX vs. TIREX - 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 Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class (TIREX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TIEIX achieves a 10.07% return, which is significantly lower than TIREX's 11.68% return. Over the past 10 years, TIEIX has outperformed TIREX with an annualized return of 15.07%, while TIREX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.65% annualized return.

TIEIX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 10.07%
• 6M: 8.95%
• 1Y: 25.43%
• 3Y*: 21.02%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: 15.07%

TIREX

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: -0.60%
• YTD: 11.68%
• 6M: 11.86%
• 1Y: 11.63%
• 3Y*: 10.97%
• 5Y*: 1.89%
• 10Y*: 6.65%

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

TIEIX vs. TIREX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIEIX Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I	10.07%	17.04%	23.71%	25.92%	-19.18%	25.64%	20.82%	30.89%	-5.27%	19.05%
TIREX TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class	11.68%	2.10%	5.30%	12.16%	-28.74%	39.39%	1.29%	31.09%	-4.06%	11.73%

Correlation

The correlation between TIEIX and TIREX is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2002	0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between TIEIX and TIREX has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TIEIX vs. TIREX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIEIX

TIEIX Risk / Return Rank: 63
TIEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
TIEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
TIEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
TIEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TIEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

TIREX

TIREX Risk / Return Rank: 17
TIREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
TIREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
TIREX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
TIREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
TIREX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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. TIREX - 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 Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class (TIREX). 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	TIREX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	0.97	+1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	1.38	+1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.17	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	1.54	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.55	5.21	+8.34

TIEIX vs. TIREX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIEIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the TIREX Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIEIX and TIREX, 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. TIREX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIEIX drawdown since its inception was -55.55%, smaller than the maximum TIREX drawdown of -74.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIEIX and TIREX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIEIX	TIREX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.55%	-74.18%	+18.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-8.55%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.29%	-17.95%	-1.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-35.67%	+10.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.90%	-39.26%	+4.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.47%	-4.03%	+2.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.28%	-13.46%	+3.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	2.52%	-0.54%

Volatility

TIEIX vs. TIREX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Equity Index Fund Class I (TIEIX) is 4.73%, while TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class (TIREX) has a volatility of 5.04%. This indicates that TIEIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TIREX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TIEIX	TIREX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.73%	5.04%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.07%	10.29%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.81%	13.60%	-0.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.40%	18.87%	-1.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.45%	20.18%	-1.73%

TIEIX vs. TIREX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIEIX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than TIREX's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIEIX vs. TIREX - Dividend Comparison

TIEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than TIREX's 2.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
TIREX TIAA-CREF Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional Class	2.46%	3.56%	3.08%	2.71%	5.13%	3.07%	1.80%	6.18%	3.54%	7.20%	4.16%	5.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIEIX and TIREX in my portfolio?

TIEIX and TIREX have a correlation of 0.28, 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 TIREX?

TIREX has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to TIEIX (4.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIEIX dropped -55.55% vs TIREX's -74.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 0.97), 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.