SEATX vs. SNSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SEATX (SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund) and SNSAX (SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - SEATX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by SEI, while SNSAX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by SEI. Over the past 10 years, SEATX returned 2.69%/yr vs 2.84%/yr for SNSAX. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEATX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SNSAX.

Performance

SEATX vs. SNSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund (SEATX) and SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEATX achieves a 2.21% return, which is significantly higher than SNSAX's 1.56% return. Over the past 10 years, SEATX has underperformed SNSAX with an annualized return of 2.69%, while SNSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.84% annualized return.

SEATX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 1.38%
• YTD: 2.21%
• 6M: 2.65%
• 1Y: 5.28%
• 3Y*: 4.52%
• 5Y*: 0.37%
• 10Y*: 2.69%

SNSAX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 6M: 1.66%
• 1Y: 4.68%
• 3Y*: 5.29%
• 5Y*: 2.93%
• 10Y*: 2.84%

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

SEATX vs. SNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SEATX SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund	2.21%	2.12%	5.75%	5.57%	-13.10%	4.00%	6.20%	10.58%	0.56%	8.54%
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	1.56%	6.29%	5.12%	4.67%	-3.55%	2.35%	2.72%	6.25%	-0.26%	2.81%

Correlation

The correlation between SEATX and SNSAX is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008	0.31

The correlation between SEATX and SNSAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.49 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SEATX vs. SNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEATX

SEATX Risk / Return Rank: 46
SEATX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
SEATX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SEATX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SEATX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SEATX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SNSAX

SNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 85
SNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
SNSAX 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.

SEATX vs. SNSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund (SEATX) and SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX). 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.

	SEATX	SNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.71	-0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	4.08	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.57	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	3.51	-1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.13	14.02	-6.90

SEATX vs. SNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEATX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is lower than the SNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEATX and SNSAX, 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

SEATX vs. SNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEATX drawdown since its inception was -28.46%, which is greater than SNSAX's maximum drawdown of -12.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEATX and SNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEATX	SNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.46%	-12.22%	-16.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.84%	-1.41%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.80%	-1.96%	-4.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.71%	-6.87%	-10.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.71%	-6.87%	-10.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-0.40%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.48%	-1.83%	-1.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	0.35%	+0.41%

Volatility

SEATX vs. SNSAX - Volatility Comparison

SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund (SEATX) has a higher volatility of 0.82% compared to SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) at 0.66%. This indicates that SEATX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SNSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEATX	SNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.82%	0.66%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.27%	1.39%	+0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.02%	1.83%	+1.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.29%	2.80%	+1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.57%	2.58%	+1.99%

SEATX vs. SNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEATX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than SNSAX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEATX vs. SNSAX - Dividend Comparison

SEATX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.68%, more than SNSAX's 3.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEATX SEI Tax Exempt Trust Tax-Advantaged Income Fund	4.68%	4.52%	4.63%	3.38%	3.16%	3.37%	4.28%	5.63%	4.76%	4.65%	4.10%	4.25%
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	3.13%	3.19%	4.20%	3.08%	3.74%	3.47%	1.88%	2.40%	1.81%	1.85%	1.19%	1.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEATX and SNSAX in my portfolio?

SEATX and SNSAX have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEATX or SNSAX?

SEATX has higher volatility (0.82%) compared to SNSAX (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEATX dropped -28.46% vs SNSAX's -12.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SNSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 1.80), 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.