TRIEX vs. VYMI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TRIEX (Nuveen International Equity Index Fund Retirement Class) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both funds - TRIEX is a International Equity fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index, while VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TRIEX returned 9.11%/yr vs 10.49%/yr for VYMI. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TRIEX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

TRIEX vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen International Equity Index Fund Retirement Class (TRIEX) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TRIEX achieves a 9.43% return, which is significantly lower than VYMI's 11.31% return. Over the past 10 years, TRIEX has underperformed VYMI with an annualized return of 9.11%, while VYMI has yielded a comparatively higher 10.49% annualized return.

TRIEX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 4.12%
• YTD: 9.43%
• 6M: 11.76%
• 1Y: 21.93%
• 3Y*: 16.79%
• 5Y*: 8.55%
• 10Y*: 9.11%

VYMI

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 11.31%
• 6M: 14.77%
• 1Y: 30.23%
• 3Y*: 21.88%
• 5Y*: 11.95%
• 10Y*: 10.49%

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

TRIEX vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRIEX Nuveen International Equity Index Fund Retirement Class	9.43%	31.24%	3.41%	17.93%	-14.44%	11.08%	7.85%	21.58%	-13.56%	25.06%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	11.31%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between TRIEX and VYMI 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	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2016	0.94

The correlation between TRIEX and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TRIEX vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRIEX

TRIEX Risk / Return Rank: 25
TRIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
TRIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
TRIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
TRIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
TRIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 66
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VYMI 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.

TRIEX vs. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen International Equity Index Fund Retirement Class (TRIEX) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

	TRIEX	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.35	-0.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	3.20	-1.18
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.43	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	2.99	-1.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.93	11.80	-4.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRIEX vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRIEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRIEX and VYMI, 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

	TRIEX	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	2.35	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.81	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.62	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.65	-0.24

Drawdowns

TRIEX vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRIEX drawdown since its inception was -60.73%, which is greater than VYMI's maximum drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRIEX and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRIEX	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.73%	-40.00%	-20.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-10.14%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.55%	-12.84%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.44%	-24.05%	-5.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.96%	-40.00%	+6.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-1.40%	+0.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.44%	-6.31%	-5.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	2.57%	+0.47%

Volatility

TRIEX vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen International Equity Index Fund Retirement Class (TRIEX) has a higher volatility of 4.70% compared to Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) at 4.04%. This indicates that TRIEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRIEX	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.70%	4.04%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.29%	10.73%	+1.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.14%	12.94%	+2.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.10%	14.84%	+1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.65%	16.87%	-0.22%

TRIEX vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRIEX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRIEX vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

TRIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, less than VYMI's 3.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRIEX Nuveen International Equity Index Fund Retirement Class	3.26%	3.57%	2.84%	2.83%	2.49%	2.69%	1.70%	2.78%	3.05%	2.51%	2.65%	2.72%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.44%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRIEX and VYMI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TRIEX and VYMI 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, TRIEX or VYMI?

TRIEX has higher volatility (4.70%) compared to VYMI (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRIEX dropped -60.73% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.40), 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.