LMLCX vs. LCSMX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LMLCX (Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund) and LCSMX (Martin Currie SMA-Shares Series EM Fund) are both mutual funds - LMLCX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Legg Mason, while LCSMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Legg Mason. Over the past 5 years, LMLCX returned 4.46%/yr vs 12.08%/yr for LCSMX. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.00% expense ratio.

Performance

LMLCX vs. LCSMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund (LMLCX) and Martin Currie SMA-Shares Series EM Fund (LCSMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LMLCX achieves a 1.37% return, which is significantly lower than LCSMX's 67.30% return.

LMLCX

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 1.37%
• 6M: 1.43%
• 1Y: 9.54%
• 3Y*: 6.34%
• 5Y*: 4.46%
• 10Y*: 4.61%

LCSMX

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 16.86%
• YTD: 67.30%
• 6M: 76.06%
• 1Y: 129.10%
• 3Y*: 31.66%
• 5Y*: 12.08%
• 10Y*: —

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

LMLCX vs. LCSMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
LMLCX Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund	1.37%	12.22%	-2.21%	12.93%	-3.51%	3.08%	2.93%	15.10%	-4.53%
LCSMX Martin Currie SMA-Shares Series EM Fund	67.30%	51.52%	-13.60%	16.26%	-27.25%	4.73%	35.72%	6.81%	1.42%

Correlation

The correlation between LMLCX and LCSMX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2018	0.31

Return for Risk

LMLCX vs. LCSMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LMLCX

LMLCX Risk / Return Rank: 38
LMLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
LMLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
LMLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
LMLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
LMLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

LCSMX

LCSMX Risk / Return Rank: 98
LCSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
LCSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
LCSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
LCSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
LCSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

LMLCX vs. LCSMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund (LMLCX) and Martin Currie SMA-Shares Series EM Fund (LCSMX). 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.

	LMLCX	LCSMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	5.24	-3.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	5.52	-3.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.90	-0.61
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	8.61	-6.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.79	33.45	-24.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LMLCX vs. LCSMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LMLCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is lower than the LCSMX Sharpe Ratio of 5.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LMLCX and LCSMX, 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

	LMLCX	LCSMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57	5.24	-3.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.63	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.67	+0.11

Drawdowns

LMLCX vs. LCSMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LMLCX drawdown since its inception was -23.45%, smaller than the maximum LCSMX drawdown of -39.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LMLCX and LCSMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LMLCX	LCSMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.45%	-39.72%	+16.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.22%	-15.39%	+11.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.77%	-23.31%	+11.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.77%	-39.72%	+27.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.41%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.94%	-13.73%	+11.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.23%	3.95%	-2.72%

Volatility

LMLCX vs. LCSMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund (LMLCX) is 2.03%, while Martin Currie SMA-Shares Series EM Fund (LCSMX) has a volatility of 13.45%. This indicates that LMLCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LCSMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LMLCX	LCSMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	13.45%	-11.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.46%	22.67%	-18.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.91%	25.30%	-18.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.79%	19.25%	-11.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.19%	20.02%	-12.83%

LMLCX vs. LCSMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LMLCX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than LCSMX's 0.00% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

LMLCX vs. LCSMX - Dividend Comparison

LMLCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.21%, more than LCSMX's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LCSMX Martin Currie SMA-Shares Series EM Fund	0.60%	1.00%	1.29%	1.22%	1.11%	3.03%	0.48%	0.88%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LMLCX Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund	6.21%	6.11%	6.58%	5.78%	4.46%	5.42%	3.54%	4.16%	5.59%	4.04%	3.75%	5.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LMLCX and LCSMX in my portfolio?

LMLCX and LCSMX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LMLCX or LCSMX?

LCSMX has higher volatility (13.45%) compared to LMLCX (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LMLCX dropped -23.45% vs LCSMX's -39.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LCSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.24 vs 1.57), 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.