TWAAX vs. STEZX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

TWAAX (Thrivent International Allocation Fund) and STEZX (AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, TWAAX returned 7.91%/yr vs 10.94%/yr for STEZX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TWAAX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for STEZX.

Performance

TWAAX vs. STEZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Thrivent International Allocation Fund (TWAAX) 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, TWAAX achieves a 14.32% return, which is significantly lower than STEZX's 20.94% return. Over the past 10 years, TWAAX has underperformed STEZX with an annualized return of 7.91%, while STEZX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.94% annualized return.

TWAAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.41%
• YTD: 14.32%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 28.03%
• 3Y*: 18.87%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 7.91%

STEZX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 20.94%
• 6M: 24.62%
• 1Y: 44.10%
• 3Y*: 27.75%
• 5Y*: 12.72%
• 10Y*: 10.94%

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

TWAAX vs. STEZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TWAAX Thrivent International Allocation Fund	14.32%	30.28%	3.86%	17.51%	-18.59%	13.88%	3.38%	19.95%	-15.80%	21.50%
STEZX AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio	20.94%	43.11%	12.75%	13.56%	-17.62%	10.32%	4.38%	19.93%	-14.94%	29.96%

Correlation

The correlation between TWAAX and STEZX 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	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.95

The correlation between TWAAX and STEZX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TWAAX vs. STEZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TWAAX

TWAAX Risk / Return Rank: 44
TWAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
TWAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
TWAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
TWAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
TWAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

STEZX

STEZX Risk / Return Rank: 81
STEZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
STEZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
STEZX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
STEZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
STEZX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

TWAAX vs. STEZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Thrivent International Allocation Fund (TWAAX) 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.

	TWAAX	STEZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	2.69	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	3.56	-0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.50	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	3.69	-1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.15	15.65	-6.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TWAAX vs. STEZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TWAAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the STEZX Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TWAAX 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

	TWAAX	STEZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	2.69	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.78	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.67	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.67	-0.42

Drawdowns

TWAAX vs. STEZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TWAAX drawdown since its inception was -54.24%, which is greater than STEZX's maximum drawdown of -36.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TWAAX and STEZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TWAAX	STEZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.24%	-36.51%	-17.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.98%	-12.02%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.95%	-14.01%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.71%	-29.85%	-3.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.87%	-36.51%	-2.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.69%	-0.61%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.68%	-7.31%	-5.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	2.82%	+0.26%

Volatility

TWAAX vs. STEZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Thrivent International Allocation Fund (TWAAX) is 5.09%, while AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio (STEZX) has a volatility of 5.76%. This indicates that TWAAX 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

	TWAAX	STEZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.09%	5.76%	-0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.49%	14.07%	-1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.88%	16.47%	-1.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.33%	16.34%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.04%	16.27%	-0.23%

TWAAX vs. STEZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TWAAX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than STEZX's 0.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

TWAAX vs. STEZX - Dividend Comparison

TWAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.76%, less than STEZX's 10.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
STEZX AB International Strategic Equities Portfolio	10.38%	12.56%	2.45%	3.08%	4.12%	5.96%	1.29%	2.05%	3.23%	2.92%	1.72%
TWAAX Thrivent International Allocation Fund	5.76%	6.59%	2.66%	2.72%	1.72%	9.19%	1.25%	2.15%	5.56%	2.08%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TWAAX and STEZX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TWAAX and STEZX 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, TWAAX or STEZX?

STEZX has higher volatility (5.76%) compared to TWAAX (5.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TWAAX dropped -54.24% vs STEZX's -36.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STEZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.90), 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.