SAISX vs. SAEMX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

SAISX (SA International Small Company Fund) and SAEMX (SA Emerging Markets Value Fund) are both mutual funds - SAISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by SA Funds, while SAEMX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by SA Funds. Over the past 10 years, SAISX returned 8.58%/yr vs 8.42%/yr for SAEMX. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SAISX charges 0.74%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for SAEMX.

Performance

SAISX vs. SAEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SA International Small Company Fund (SAISX) and SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAISX achieves a 9.48% return, which is significantly lower than SAEMX's 15.29% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SAISX having a 8.58% annualized return and SAEMX not far behind at 8.42%.

SAISX

• 1D: 2.35%
• 1M: 2.05%
• 6M: 3.80%
• YTD: 9.48%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: 16.33%
• 5Y*: 7.47%
• 10Y*: 8.58%
• ALL TIME*: 7.39%

SAEMX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: -4.28%
• 6M: 6.54%
• YTD: 15.29%
• 1Y: 28.90%
• 3Y*: 16.53%
• 5Y*: 10.03%
• 10Y*: 8.42%
• ALL TIME*: 3.47%

*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)
SAEMX SA Emerging Markets Value Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SAISX SA International Small Company Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SAISX vs. SAEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAISX SA International Small Company Fund	9.48%	35.69%	3.19%	13.87%	-17.68%	13.52%	8.54%	23.25%	-20.10%	29.04%
SAEMX SA Emerging Markets Value Fund	15.29%	29.21%	5.47%	15.72%	-11.61%	10.51%	0.88%	8.05%	-12.11%	31.24%

Correlation

The correlation between SAISX and SAEMX is 0.37, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between SAISX and SAEMX has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

SAISX vs. SAEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAISX

SAISX Risk / Return Rank: 59
SAISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SAISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SAISX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SAISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SAISX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

SAEMX

SAEMX Risk / Return Rank: 65
SAEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SAEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SAEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SAEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SAEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

SAISX vs. SAEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SA International Small Company Fund (SAISX) and SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX). 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.

	SAISX	SAEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	1.62	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	2.15	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	2.40	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.42	7.27	-0.85

SAISX vs. SAEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the SAEMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAISX and SAEMX, 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

SAISX vs. SAEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAISX drawdown since its inception was -61.36%, roughly equal to the maximum SAEMX drawdown of -63.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAISX and SAEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAISX	SAEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.36%	-63.08%	+1.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.00%	-12.22%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.15%	-17.80%	+4.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.49%	-24.86%	-8.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.94%	-49.23%	+5.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-9.99%	+8.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.58%	-17.11%	+4.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.54%	3.92%	-0.38%

Volatility

SAISX vs. SAEMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SA International Small Company Fund (SAISX) is 4.28%, while SA Emerging Markets Value Fund (SAEMX) has a volatility of 5.81%. This indicates that SAISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SAEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAISX	SAEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.28%	5.81%	-1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.08%	16.00%	-3.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.73%	18.15%	-3.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.34%	15.40%	+0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.07%	15.65%	+0.42%

SAISX vs. SAEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAISX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than SAEMX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAISX vs. SAEMX - Dividend Comparison

SAISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.42%, more than SAEMX's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAEMX SA Emerging Markets Value Fund	2.98%	3.43%	4.37%	4.07%	3.54%	2.86%	1.76%	2.18%	1.78%	1.28%	1.23%	1.25%
SAISX SA International Small Company Fund	5.42%	5.93%	3.96%	3.31%	6.05%	5.68%	1.95%	5.67%	6.70%	4.28%	4.07%	3.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAISX and SAEMX in my portfolio?

SAISX and SAEMX have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAISX or SAEMX?

SAEMX has higher volatility (5.81%) compared to SAISX (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAISX dropped -61.36% vs SAEMX's -63.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.59), 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.