CAVAX vs. SMQFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CAVAX (SEI Catholic Values Trust Catholic Values Equity Fund) and SMQFX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - CAVAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by SEI, while SMQFX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by SEI. Over the past 10 years, CAVAX returned 12.15%/yr vs 12.11%/yr for SMQFX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CAVAX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SMQFX.

Performance

CAVAX vs. SMQFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Catholic Values Trust Catholic Values Equity Fund (CAVAX) 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, CAVAX achieves a 9.85% return, which is significantly lower than SMQFX's 26.81% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CAVAX having a 12.15% annualized return and SMQFX not far behind at 12.11%.

CAVAX

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 4.43%
• YTD: 9.85%
• 6M: 10.48%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 18.11%
• 5Y*: 9.18%
• 10Y*: 12.15%

SMQFX

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 8.17%
• YTD: 26.81%
• 6M: 30.55%
• 1Y: 60.61%
• 3Y*: 27.84%
• 5Y*: 11.93%
• 10Y*: 12.11%

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

CAVAX vs. SMQFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CAVAX SEI Catholic Values Trust Catholic Values Equity Fund	9.85%	15.45%	16.72%	21.33%	-18.51%	20.57%	17.33%	26.63%	-10.24%	23.69%
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	26.81%	40.14%	9.19%	16.67%	-19.31%	8.09%	17.33%	18.91%	-17.67%	33.53%

Correlation

The correlation between CAVAX and SMQFX is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.69

The correlation between CAVAX and SMQFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CAVAX vs. SMQFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAVAX

CAVAX Risk / Return Rank: 48
CAVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
CAVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
CAVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
CAVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
CAVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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: 89
SMQFX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

CAVAX vs. SMQFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Catholic Values Trust Catholic Values Equity Fund (CAVAX) 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.

	CAVAX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	3.73	-1.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	4.65	-1.88
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.71	-0.36
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	4.51	-1.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.65	18.04	-6.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CAVAX vs. SMQFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAVAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is lower than the SMQFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAVAX 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

	CAVAX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	3.73	-1.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.67	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.72	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.56	+0.13

Drawdowns

CAVAX vs. SMQFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAVAX drawdown since its inception was -36.55%, smaller than the maximum SMQFX drawdown of -40.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAVAX and SMQFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAVAX	SMQFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.55%	-40.14%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.49%	-13.62%	+5.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.95%	-15.03%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.51%	-36.37%	+9.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.55%	-40.14%	+3.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.06%	-12.06%	+7.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	3.40%	-1.41%

Volatility

CAVAX vs. SMQFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SEI Catholic Values Trust Catholic Values Equity Fund (CAVAX) is 2.91%, while SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) has a volatility of 6.94%. This indicates that CAVAX 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

	CAVAX	SMQFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	6.94%	-4.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	14.06%	-5.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.81%	16.49%	-4.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.08%	17.77%	-1.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.39%	16.92%	+0.47%

CAVAX vs. SMQFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAVAX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than SMQFX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

CAVAX vs. SMQFX - Dividend Comparison

CAVAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.13%, less than SMQFX's 23.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAVAX SEI Catholic Values Trust Catholic Values Equity Fund	6.13%	6.73%	7.01%	1.29%	3.67%	16.58%	2.98%	2.80%	5.66%	0.71%	0.99%	0.00%
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	23.84%	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 CAVAX and SMQFX in my portfolio?

CAVAX and SMQFX have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAVAX or SMQFX?

SMQFX has higher volatility (6.94%) compared to CAVAX (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAVAX dropped -36.55% vs SMQFX's -40.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMQFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.73 vs 1.97), 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.