NIFAX vs. SEIAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

NIFAX (Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund) and SEIAX (SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, NIFAX returned 2.28%/yr vs 4.43%/yr for SEIAX. Their 0.22 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. NIFAX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for SEIAX.

Performance

NIFAX vs. SEIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (NIFAX) and SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A (SEIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NIFAX achieves a 0.12% return, which is significantly lower than SEIAX's 9.31% return. Over the past 10 years, NIFAX has underperformed SEIAX with an annualized return of 2.28%, while SEIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.43% annualized return.

NIFAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.68%
• 6M: -0.22%
• YTD: 0.12%
• 1Y: 1.26%
• 3Y*: 3.16%
• 5Y*: -0.21%
• 10Y*: 2.28%
• ALL TIME*: 1.59%

SEIAX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 3.05%
• 6M: 5.74%
• YTD: 9.31%
• 1Y: 12.98%
• 3Y*: 7.77%
• 5Y*: 6.48%
• 10Y*: 4.43%
• ALL TIME*: 2.29%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NIFAX Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SEIAX SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

NIFAX vs. SEIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NIFAX Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund	0.12%	6.32%	1.45%	3.61%	-12.59%	4.69%	10.66%	12.06%	-1.87%	2.60%
SEIAX SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A	9.31%	8.50%	4.74%	-1.01%	9.20%	11.41%	-0.51%	6.33%	-2.93%	-1.12%

Correlation

The correlation between NIFAX and SEIAX is 0.01, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.22

Over the past year, the correlation between NIFAX and SEIAX has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.22, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NIFAX vs. SEIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NIFAX

NIFAX Risk / Return Rank: 15
NIFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
NIFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
NIFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
NIFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
NIFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

SEIAX

SEIAX Risk / Return Rank: 86
SEIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SEIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SEIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SEIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SEIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NIFAX vs. SEIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (NIFAX) and SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A (SEIAX). 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.

	NIFAX	SEIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	2.24	-1.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.90	3.25	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.41	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.93	2.98	-2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.40	10.16	-7.76

NIFAX vs. SEIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NIFAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the SEIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NIFAX and SEIAX, 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

NIFAX vs. SEIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NIFAX drawdown since its inception was -15.19%, smaller than the maximum SEIAX drawdown of -20.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NIFAX and SEIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NIFAX	SEIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.19%	-20.97%	+5.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.98%	-4.29%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.85%	-4.29%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.19%	-7.67%	-7.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.19%	-13.20%	-1.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.88%	-0.74%	-2.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.81%	-7.04%	+2.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	1.26%	-0.50%

Volatility

NIFAX vs. SEIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (NIFAX) is 0.71%, while SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A (SEIAX) has a volatility of 1.63%. This indicates that NIFAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SEIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NIFAX	SEIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.71%	1.63%	-0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.29%	4.89%	-2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.08%	5.70%	-2.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.84%	5.67%	+0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.37%	5.25%	+0.12%

NIFAX vs. SEIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NIFAX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than SEIAX's 0.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

NIFAX vs. SEIAX - Dividend Comparison

NIFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.41%, more than SEIAX's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NIFAX Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund	4.41%	3.99%	3.17%	3.90%	6.60%	5.29%	0.94%	4.94%	1.79%	1.65%	0.00%	0.00%
SEIAX SEI Multi-Asset Real Return Fund Class A	2.69%	2.94%	5.16%	3.77%	13.78%	10.42%	2.34%	2.13%	3.63%	1.57%	1.73%	1.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NIFAX and SEIAX in my portfolio?

NIFAX and SEIAX have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NIFAX or SEIAX?

SEIAX has higher volatility (1.63%) compared to NIFAX (0.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NIFAX dropped -15.19% vs SEIAX's -20.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 0.60), 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.