ADVMX vs. SMQFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ADVMX (Vaughan Nelson Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund) and SMQFX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, ADVMX returned 8.86%/yr vs 11.98%/yr for SMQFX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ADVMX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SMQFX.

Performance

ADVMX vs. SMQFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vaughan Nelson Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (ADVMX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ADVMX achieves a 14.22% return, which is significantly lower than SMQFX's 25.30% return. Over the past 10 years, ADVMX has underperformed SMQFX with an annualized return of 8.86%, while SMQFX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.98% annualized return.

ADVMX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 14.22%
• 6M: 16.57%
• 1Y: 50.27%
• 3Y*: 21.01%
• 5Y*: 9.47%
• 10Y*: 8.86%

SMQFX

• 1D: 2.22%
• 1M: 7.90%
• YTD: 25.30%
• 6M: 29.19%
• 1Y: 59.16%
• 3Y*: 27.33%
• 5Y*: 11.60%
• 10Y*: 11.98%

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

ADVMX vs. SMQFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ADVMX Vaughan Nelson Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund	14.22%	45.69%	-2.43%	16.20%	-11.69%	9.81%	10.81%	7.15%	-18.47%	25.07%
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	25.30%	40.14%	9.19%	16.67%	-19.31%	8.09%	17.33%	18.91%	-17.67%	33.53%

Correlation

The correlation between ADVMX and SMQFX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2014	0.88

The correlation between ADVMX and SMQFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ADVMX vs. SMQFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ADVMX

ADVMX Risk / Return Rank: 79
ADVMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
ADVMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
ADVMX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
ADVMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ADVMX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SMQFX

SMQFX Risk / Return Rank: 92
SMQFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMQFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SMQFX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
SMQFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SMQFX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

ADVMX vs. SMQFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vaughan Nelson Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (ADVMX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX). 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.

	ADVMX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	3.71	-1.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	4.62	-0.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.71	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.27	4.33	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.10	17.38	-2.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ADVMX vs. SMQFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADVMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the SMQFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADVMX and SMQFX, 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

	ADVMX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	3.71	-1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.66	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.71	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.55	-0.14

Drawdowns

ADVMX vs. SMQFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADVMX drawdown since its inception was -51.17%, which is greater than SMQFX's maximum drawdown of -40.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADVMX and SMQFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADVMX	SMQFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.17%	-40.14%	-11.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.40%	-13.62%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.92%	-15.03%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.72%	-36.37%	+11.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.17%	-40.14%	-11.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.49%	0.00%	-2.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.59%	-12.06%	+0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	3.40%	-0.17%

Volatility

ADVMX vs. SMQFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vaughan Nelson Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (ADVMX) is 4.79%, while SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) has a volatility of 6.90%. This indicates that ADVMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMQFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ADVMX	SMQFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.79%	6.90%	-2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.92%	14.03%	+0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.37%	16.49%	+2.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	17.76%	-1.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.11%	16.92%	-0.81%

ADVMX vs. SMQFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ADVMX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SMQFX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

ADVMX vs. SMQFX - Dividend Comparison

ADVMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.33%, less than SMQFX's 24.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADVMX Vaughan Nelson Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund	9.33%	10.65%	0.00%	0.95%	1.13%	1.51%	1.51%	2.84%	1.48%	3.06%	2.18%	1.89%
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	24.12%	30.23%	6.43%	3.24%	5.32%	17.70%	1.80%	1.89%	11.55%	2.70%	2.15%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADVMX and SMQFX in my portfolio?

ADVMX and SMQFX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADVMX or SMQFX?

SMQFX has higher volatility (6.90%) compared to ADVMX (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADVMX dropped -51.17% vs SMQFX's -40.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMQFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.71 vs 2.68), 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.