TIIEX vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TIIEX (TIAA-CREF International Equity Fund) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - TIIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, TIIEX returned 8.37%/yr vs 9.76%/yr for VXUS. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TIIEX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

TIIEX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF International Equity Fund (TIIEX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TIIEX achieves a 6.93% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 14.25% return. Over the past 10 years, TIIEX has underperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 8.37%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.76% annualized return.

TIIEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 6.93%
• 6M: 9.18%
• 1Y: 22.64%
• 3Y*: 16.46%
• 5Y*: 7.29%
• 10Y*: 8.37%

VXUS

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 14.25%
• 6M: 16.92%
• 1Y: 32.01%
• 3Y*: 19.30%
• 5Y*: 8.46%
• 10Y*: 9.76%

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

TIIEX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Fund	6.93%	33.20%	4.00%	16.91%	-17.33%	10.81%	15.81%	23.20%	-23.48%	31.49%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	14.25%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between TIIEX and VXUS 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	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011	0.92

The correlation between TIIEX and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TIIEX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIIEX

TIIEX Risk / Return Rank: 24
TIIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
TIIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
TIIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
TIIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
TIIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 60
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

TIIEX vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF International Equity Fund (TIIEX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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.

	TIIEX	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	2.12	-0.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	2.90	-0.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	2.85	-0.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.55	11.14	-4.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TIIEX vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIIEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIIEX and VXUS, 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

	TIIEX	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	2.12	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.53	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.57	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.39	-0.09

Drawdowns

TIIEX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIIEX drawdown since its inception was -64.69%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIIEX and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIIEX	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.69%	-35.97%	-28.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.24%	-11.27%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.60%	-13.58%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.07%	-29.44%	-2.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.07%	-35.97%	-6.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.77%	-0.99%	-1.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.21%	-8.22%	-11.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.79%	2.88%	+0.91%

Volatility

TIIEX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF International Equity Fund (TIIEX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) have volatilities of 5.52% and 5.60%, 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

	TIIEX	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	5.60%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.18%	13.00%	+1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.16%	15.21%	+1.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	16.05%	+1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.09%	17.16%	+0.93%

TIIEX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIIEX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIIEX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

TIIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.96%, more than VXUS's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TIIEX TIAA-CREF International Equity Fund	10.96%	11.72%	2.56%	2.66%	2.22%	2.84%	1.21%	1.67%	7.72%	1.29%	1.51%	1.28%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.66%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIIEX and VXUS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TIIEX and VXUS 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, TIIEX or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to TIIEX (5.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIIEX dropped -64.69% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.41), 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.