SAUMX vs. SSLCX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SAUMX (SA U.S. Small Company Fund) and SSLCX (DWS Small Cap Core Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SAUMX returned 11.36%/yr vs 11.36%/yr for SSLCX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SAUMX charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SSLCX.

Performance

SAUMX vs. SSLCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SA U.S. Small Company Fund (SAUMX) and DWS Small Cap Core Fund (SSLCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAUMX achieves a 18.17% return, which is significantly higher than SSLCX's 13.07% return. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: SAUMX at 11.36% and SSLCX at 11.36%.

SAUMX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 18.17%
• 6M: 15.70%
• 1Y: 31.11%
• 3Y*: 17.25%
• 5Y*: 9.04%
• 10Y*: 11.36%

SSLCX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 2.42%
• YTD: 13.07%
• 6M: 11.53%
• 1Y: 16.31%
• 3Y*: 13.63%
• 5Y*: 6.36%
• 10Y*: 11.36%

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

SAUMX vs. SSLCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAUMX SA U.S. Small Company Fund	18.17%	8.87%	11.14%	17.30%	-14.25%	26.93%	11.61%	22.17%	-12.82%	11.39%
SSLCX DWS Small Cap Core Fund	13.07%	4.99%	9.85%	13.09%	-13.53%	41.16%	14.65%	21.72%	-14.28%	11.63%

Correlation

The correlation between SAUMX and SSLCX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012	0.93

The correlation between SAUMX and SSLCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SAUMX vs. SSLCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAUMX

SAUMX Risk / Return Rank: 72
SAUMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SAUMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SAUMX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SAUMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SAUMX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SSLCX

SSLCX Risk / Return Rank: 25
SSLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
SSLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
SSLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
SSLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
SSLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

SAUMX vs. SSLCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SA U.S. Small Company Fund (SAUMX) and DWS Small Cap Core Fund (SSLCX). 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.

	SAUMX	SSLCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	1.21	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	1.74	+1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.22	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.99	2.05	+1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.88	6.42	+7.46

SAUMX vs. SSLCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAUMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is higher than the SSLCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAUMX and SSLCX, 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

SAUMX vs. SSLCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAUMX drawdown since its inception was -43.14%, smaller than the maximum SSLCX drawdown of -63.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAUMX and SSLCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAUMX	SSLCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.14%	-63.14%	+20.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	-8.78%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.80%	-17.34%	-7.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.80%	-22.57%	-2.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.14%	-48.07%	+4.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.94%	+0.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.38%	-11.29%	+4.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.56%	2.79%	-0.23%

Volatility

SAUMX vs. SSLCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SA U.S. Small Company Fund (SAUMX) is 4.49%, while DWS Small Cap Core Fund (SSLCX) has a volatility of 5.25%. This indicates that SAUMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SSLCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAUMX	SSLCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	5.25%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.91%	10.78%	+1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.58%	14.87%	+1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.43%	17.35%	+3.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.00%	21.07%	+0.93%

SAUMX vs. SSLCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAUMX has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is lower than SSLCX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAUMX vs. SSLCX - Dividend Comparison

SAUMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than SSLCX's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAUMX SA U.S. Small Company Fund	0.45%	0.53%	0.29%	3.64%	3.19%	25.26%	1.99%	4.48%	3.22%	7.96%	5.16%	8.49%
SSLCX DWS Small Cap Core Fund	1.07%	1.21%	1.52%	0.68%	1.07%	1.67%	0.35%	0.16%	5.99%	5.78%	0.60%	8.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAUMX and SSLCX in my portfolio?

SAUMX and SSLCX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAUMX or SSLCX?

SSLCX has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to SAUMX (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAUMX dropped -43.14% vs SSLCX's -63.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAUMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.21), 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.