SAEMX vs. SAMKX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SAEMX (SA Emerging Markets Value Fund) and SAMKX (SA U.S. Core Market Fund) are both mutual funds - SAEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by SA Funds, while SAMKX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by SA Funds. Over the past 10 years, SAEMX returned 10.43%/yr vs 14.63%/yr for SAMKX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SAEMX charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for SAMKX.

Performance

SAEMX vs. SAMKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX) and SA U.S. Core Market Fund (SAMKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAEMX achieves a 27.19% return, which is significantly higher than SAMKX's 9.47% return. Over the past 10 years, SAEMX has underperformed SAMKX with an annualized return of 10.43%, while SAMKX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.63% annualized return.

SAEMX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 5.47%
• YTD: 27.19%
• 6M: 28.85%
• 1Y: 47.33%
• 3Y*: 22.03%
• 5Y*: 11.47%
• 10Y*: 10.43%

SAMKX

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 9.47%
• 6M: 8.92%
• 1Y: 24.94%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: 12.63%
• 10Y*: 14.63%

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

SAEMX vs. SAMKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAEMX SA Emerging Markets Value Fund	27.19%	29.21%	5.47%	15.72%	-11.61%	10.51%	0.88%	8.05%	-12.11%	31.24%
SAMKX SA U.S. Core Market Fund	9.47%	15.80%	22.80%	25.81%	-18.91%	25.66%	18.88%	30.56%	-4.69%	22.20%

Correlation

The correlation between SAEMX and SAMKX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012	0.38

The correlation between SAEMX and SAMKX shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.38 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SAEMX vs. SAMKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAEMX

SAEMX Risk / Return Rank: 90
SAEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SAEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SAEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SAEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SAEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

SAMKX

SAMKX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SAMKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SAMKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SAMKX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SAMKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SAMKX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

SAEMX vs. SAMKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX) and SA U.S. Core Market Fund (SAMKX). 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.

	SAEMX	SAMKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.09	2.29	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	3.18	+0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.41	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	3.16	+1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.61	13.98	+1.63

SAEMX vs. SAMKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAEMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.09, which is higher than the SAMKX Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAEMX and SAMKX, 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

SAEMX vs. SAMKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAEMX drawdown since its inception was -63.08%, which is greater than SAMKX's maximum drawdown of -33.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAEMX and SAMKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAEMX	SAMKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.08%	-33.77%	-29.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.22%	-8.75%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.80%	-19.29%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.12%	-24.88%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.23%	-33.77%	-15.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.69%	-1.11%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.18%	-3.92%	-13.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	1.91%	+1.33%

Volatility

SAEMX vs. SAMKX - Volatility Comparison

SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX) has a higher volatility of 7.34% compared to SA U.S. Core Market Fund (SAMKX) at 4.44%. This indicates that SAEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SAMKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAEMX	SAMKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.34%	4.44%	+2.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.51%	9.41%	+5.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.09%	12.09%	+5.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.17%	16.93%	-1.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.61%	17.57%	-1.96%

SAEMX vs. SAMKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAEMX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than SAMKX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAEMX vs. SAMKX - Dividend Comparison

SAEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, more than SAMKX's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAEMX SA Emerging Markets Value Fund	2.70%	3.43%	4.37%	4.07%	3.54%	2.86%	1.76%	2.18%	1.78%	1.28%	1.23%	1.25%
SAMKX SA U.S. Core Market Fund	0.60%	0.66%	0.69%	0.86%	5.83%	7.72%	8.08%	12.72%	6.46%	4.09%	6.20%	0.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAEMX and SAMKX in my portfolio?

SAEMX and SAMKX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAEMX or SAMKX?

SAEMX has higher volatility (7.34%) compared to SAMKX (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAEMX dropped -63.08% vs SAMKX's -33.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.09 vs 2.29), 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.