SEAIX vs. SMSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SEAIX (SEI Asset Allocation Trust Aggressive Strategy Fund) and SMSAX (SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund) are both mutual funds - SEAIX is a Global Allocation fund managed by SEI, while SMSAX is a Multistrategy fund managed by SEI. Over the past 10 years, SEAIX returned 9.29%/yr vs 4.80%/yr for SMSAX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SEAIX charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.35%/yr for SMSAX.

Performance

SEAIX vs. SMSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Asset Allocation Trust Aggressive Strategy Fund (SEAIX) and SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund (SMSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEAIX achieves a 11.57% return, which is significantly higher than SMSAX's 7.33% return. Over the past 10 years, SEAIX has outperformed SMSAX with an annualized return of 9.29%, while SMSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.80% annualized return.

SEAIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 4.84%
• YTD: 11.57%
• 6M: 12.81%
• 1Y: 26.91%
• 3Y*: 18.00%
• 5Y*: 8.09%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

SMSAX

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 6M: 8.20%
• 1Y: 16.27%
• 3Y*: 10.28%
• 5Y*: 4.93%
• 10Y*: 4.80%

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

SEAIX vs. SMSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SEAIX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Aggressive Strategy Fund	11.57%	21.66%	12.31%	14.27%	-17.32%	12.11%	10.88%	21.91%	-10.09%	18.43%
SMSAX SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund	7.33%	10.62%	6.42%	7.21%	-4.95%	1.47%	12.06%	4.85%	-3.68%	5.26%

Correlation

The correlation between SEAIX and SMSAX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2010	0.76

The correlation between SEAIX and SMSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEAIX vs. SMSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEAIX

SEAIX Risk / Return Rank: 68
SEAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SEAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SEAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SEAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SEAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

SMSAX

SMSAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
SMSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SMSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SMSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SMSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SMSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

SEAIX vs. SMSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Asset Allocation Trust Aggressive Strategy Fund (SEAIX) and SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund (SMSAX). 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.

	SEAIX	SMSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	3.14	-0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	4.90	-1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.62	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	4.63	-1.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.30	20.00	-6.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEAIX vs. SMSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEAIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the SMSAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEAIX and SMSAX, 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

	SEAIX	SMSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	3.14	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	1.06	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	1.05	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.78	-0.31

Drawdowns

SEAIX vs. SMSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEAIX drawdown since its inception was -56.54%, which is greater than SMSAX's maximum drawdown of -10.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEAIX and SMSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEAIX	SMSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.54%	-10.98%	-45.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-3.66%	-5.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.16%	-5.93%	-7.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.83%	-9.72%	-18.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.24%	-10.98%	-18.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.70%	-2.11%	-6.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	0.85%	+1.18%

Volatility

SEAIX vs. SMSAX - Volatility Comparison

SEI Asset Allocation Trust Aggressive Strategy Fund (SEAIX) has a higher volatility of 3.55% compared to SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund (SMSAX) at 1.96%. This indicates that SEAIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEAIX	SMSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.55%	1.96%	+1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.85%	4.29%	+4.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.88%	5.40%	+5.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.71%	4.67%	+8.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.85%	4.61%	+8.24%

SEAIX vs. SMSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEAIX has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than SMSAX's 1.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEAIX vs. SMSAX - Dividend Comparison

SEAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.89%, more than SMSAX's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEAIX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Aggressive Strategy Fund	7.89%	8.72%	1.43%	3.77%	19.34%	8.79%	3.92%	5.53%	2.43%	1.48%	1.93%	2.00%
SMSAX SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund	4.73%	5.08%	5.54%	4.35%	2.13%	7.61%	2.79%	1.01%	4.94%	2.20%	0.07%	2.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEAIX and SMSAX in my portfolio?

SEAIX and SMSAX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEAIX or SMSAX?

SEAIX has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to SMSAX (1.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEAIX dropped -56.54% vs SMSAX's -10.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.14 vs 2.49), 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.