SEDAX vs. VEMBX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SEDAX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund) and VEMBX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, SEDAX returned 3.73%/yr vs 4.26%/yr for VEMBX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SEDAX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for VEMBX.

Performance

SEDAX vs. VEMBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund (SEDAX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEDAX achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly higher than VEMBX's 3.07% return.

SEDAX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 1.61%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 6M: 4.21%
• 1Y: 14.98%
• 3Y*: 10.71%
• 5Y*: 3.73%
• 10Y*: 4.31%

VEMBX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.54%
• YTD: 3.07%
• 6M: 3.17%
• 1Y: 11.78%
• 3Y*: 11.12%
• 5Y*: 4.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

SEDAX vs. VEMBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SEDAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund	4.04%	20.33%	3.13%	12.86%	-14.53%	-4.93%	4.68%	15.55%	-8.11%	15.32%
VEMBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares	3.07%	14.32%	7.38%	13.66%	-13.18%	-1.53%	14.99%	17.72%	-0.89%	13.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SEDAX and VEMBX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.77

The correlation between SEDAX and VEMBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEDAX vs. VEMBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEDAX

SEDAX Risk / Return Rank: 82
SEDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SEDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SEDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
SEDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SEDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VEMBX

VEMBX Risk / Return Rank: 88
VEMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
VEMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VEMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VEMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VEMBX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

SEDAX vs. VEMBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund (SEDAX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX). 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.

	SEDAX	VEMBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	2.89	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.36	4.71	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.59	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	3.35	-0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.70	14.75	-3.05

SEDAX vs. VEMBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEDAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the VEMBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEDAX and VEMBX, 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

SEDAX vs. VEMBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEDAX drawdown since its inception was -37.03%, which is greater than VEMBX's maximum drawdown of -24.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEDAX and VEMBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEDAX	VEMBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.03%	-24.36%	-12.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.49%	-3.77%	-1.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.44%	-5.56%	-3.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.86%	-24.36%	-2.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.94%	-0.46%	-0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.77%	-3.85%	-2.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	0.85%	+0.52%

Volatility

SEDAX vs. VEMBX - Volatility Comparison

SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund (SEDAX) has a higher volatility of 1.74% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX) at 1.14%. This indicates that SEDAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEMBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEDAX	VEMBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.74%	1.14%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.13%	3.64%	+1.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.83%	4.36%	+1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.04%	6.37%	+0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.41%	6.35%	+2.06%

SEDAX vs. VEMBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEDAX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than VEMBX's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEDAX vs. VEMBX - Dividend Comparison

SEDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.67%, more than VEMBX's 5.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEDAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund	8.67%	7.30%	7.24%	4.65%	2.08%	4.69%	1.52%	3.75%	3.17%	4.70%	3.59%	1.00%
VEMBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares	5.99%	6.20%	6.86%	7.06%	5.43%	5.00%	4.50%	6.27%	4.81%	6.50%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEDAX and VEMBX in my portfolio?

SEDAX and VEMBX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEDAX or VEMBX?

SEDAX has higher volatility (1.74%) compared to VEMBX (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEDAX dropped -37.03% vs VEMBX's -24.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 2.76), 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.