TSONX vs. STEZX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TSONX (TIAA-CREF Social Choice International Equity Fund) and STEZX (AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, TSONX returned 8.86%/yr vs 11.07%/yr for STEZX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TSONX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for STEZX.

Performance

TSONX vs. STEZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Social Choice International Equity Fund (TSONX) and AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio (STEZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSONX achieves a 7.52% return, which is significantly lower than STEZX's 21.69% return. Over the past 10 years, TSONX has underperformed STEZX with an annualized return of 8.86%, while STEZX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.07% annualized return.

TSONX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 4.07%
• YTD: 7.52%
• 6M: 10.03%
• 1Y: 19.21%
• 3Y*: 15.41%
• 5Y*: 8.19%
• 10Y*: 8.86%

STEZX

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 5.25%
• YTD: 21.69%
• 6M: 25.95%
• 1Y: 45.94%
• 3Y*: 27.86%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 11.07%

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

TSONX vs. STEZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSONX TIAA-CREF Social Choice International Equity Fund	7.52%	28.55%	3.18%	19.26%	-14.78%	11.95%	9.87%	23.36%	-13.59%	21.96%
STEZX AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio	21.69%	43.11%	12.75%	13.56%	-17.62%	10.32%	4.38%	19.93%	-14.94%	29.96%

Correlation

The correlation between TSONX and STEZX is 0.89, 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	0.89
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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.93

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

Return for Risk

TSONX vs. STEZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSONX

TSONX Risk / Return Rank: 18
TSONX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
TSONX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
TSONX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
TSONX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
TSONX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

STEZX

STEZX Risk / Return Rank: 82
STEZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
STEZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
STEZX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
STEZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
STEZX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

TSONX vs. STEZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Social Choice International Equity Fund (TSONX) and AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio (STEZX). 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.

	TSONX	STEZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	2.78	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	3.66	-1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.52	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	3.81	-2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.38	16.17	-10.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSONX vs. STEZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSONX Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is lower than the STEZX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSONX and STEZX, 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

	TSONX	STEZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.18	2.78	-1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.80	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.68	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.67	-0.15

Drawdowns

TSONX vs. STEZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSONX drawdown since its inception was -33.02%, smaller than the maximum STEZX drawdown of -36.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSONX and STEZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSONX	STEZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.02%	-36.51%	+3.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.63%	-12.02%	-0.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.10%	-14.01%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.51%	-29.85%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.02%	-36.51%	+3.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.35%	0.00%	-1.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.00%	-7.31%	+1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.39%	2.82%	+0.57%

Volatility

TSONX vs. STEZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Social Choice International Equity Fund (TSONX) is 4.57%, while AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio (STEZX) has a volatility of 5.88%. This indicates that TSONX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STEZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSONX	STEZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	5.88%	-1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.56%	14.08%	-1.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.54%	16.50%	-0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.11%	16.34%	-0.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.70%	16.27%	+0.43%

TSONX vs. STEZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSONX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is lower than STEZX's 0.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSONX vs. STEZX - Dividend Comparison

TSONX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.40%, less than STEZX's 10.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
STEZX AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio	10.32%	12.56%	2.45%	3.08%	4.12%	5.96%	1.29%	2.05%	3.23%	2.92%	1.72%
TSONX TIAA-CREF Social Choice International Equity Fund	5.40%	5.80%	3.25%	3.21%	2.31%	3.13%	1.48%	1.63%	2.52%	0.04%	2.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSONX and STEZX in my portfolio?

TSONX and STEZX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSONX or STEZX?

STEZX has higher volatility (5.88%) compared to TSONX (4.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSONX dropped -33.02% vs STEZX's -36.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STEZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 1.18), 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.