AVEAX vs. SSMHX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

AVEAX (Ave Maria Focused Fund) and SSMHX (State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, AVEAX returned 4.29%/yr vs 5.57%/yr for SSMHX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVEAX charges 1.14%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SSMHX.

Performance

AVEAX vs. SSMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ave Maria Focused Fund (AVEAX) and State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (SSMHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVEAX achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly lower than SSMHX's 14.63% return.

AVEAX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -2.55%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 5.64%
• 1Y: 3.05%
• 3Y*: 14.11%
• 5Y*: 4.29%
• 10Y*: —

SSMHX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: 14.63%
• 6M: 12.13%
• 1Y: 28.33%
• 3Y*: 18.23%
• 5Y*: 5.57%
• 10Y*: 12.34%

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

AVEAX vs. SSMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AVEAX Ave Maria Focused Fund	7.49%	4.71%	11.52%	38.73%	-34.98%	27.98%	24.71%
SSMHX State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio	14.63%	12.90%	10.73%	25.21%	-25.43%	13.08%	58.93%

Correlation

The correlation between AVEAX and SSMHX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2020	0.82

The correlation between AVEAX and SSMHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVEAX vs. SSMHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVEAX

AVEAX Risk / Return Rank: 5
AVEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
AVEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
AVEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
AVEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
AVEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

SSMHX

SSMHX Risk / Return Rank: 49
SSMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
SSMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SSMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SSMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SSMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

AVEAX vs. SSMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ave Maria Focused Fund (AVEAX) and State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (SSMHX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AVEAX	SSMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	1.56	-1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.32	2.22	-1.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.27	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.17	2.72	-2.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.44	9.82	-9.38

AVEAX vs. SSMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVEAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is lower than the SSMHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVEAX and SSMHX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AVEAX vs. SSMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVEAX drawdown since its inception was -44.09%, which is greater than SSMHX's maximum drawdown of -41.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVEAX and SSMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVEAX	SSMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.09%	-41.61%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.50%	-10.03%	-5.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-30.38%	+10.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.09%	-34.84%	-9.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.33%	-0.48%	-4.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.45%	-9.10%	-2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.16%	2.78%	+3.38%

Volatility

AVEAX vs. SSMHX - Volatility Comparison

Ave Maria Focused Fund (AVEAX) has a higher volatility of 6.36% compared to State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (SSMHX) at 6.00%. This indicates that AVEAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SSMHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVEAX	SSMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.36%	6.00%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.75%	13.15%	+0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.71%	17.53%	+2.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.17%	22.51%	+0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.94%	22.40%	-0.46%

AVEAX vs. SSMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVEAX has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is higher than SSMHX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVEAX vs. SSMHX - Dividend Comparison

AVEAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SSMHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.21%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEAX Ave Maria Focused Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	4.56%	0.33%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SSMHX State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio	6.21%	7.12%	0.00%	1.56%	2.31%	16.30%	2.91%	3.65%	6.43%	4.01%	1.71%	0.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVEAX and SSMHX in my portfolio?

AVEAX and SSMHX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVEAX or SSMHX?

AVEAX has higher volatility (6.36%) compared to SSMHX (6.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVEAX dropped -44.09% vs SSMHX's -41.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSMHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 0.14), 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.