SEEM vs. BIL

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

SEEM (SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by SEI, while BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. SEEM is actively managed, while BIL is passively managed. Over the past year, SEEM returned 47.23% vs 3.82% for BIL. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. SEEM charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for BIL.

Performance

SEEM vs. BIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEEM achieves a 26.85% return, which is significantly higher than BIL's 1.88% return.

SEEM

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.87%
• 6M: 21.39%
• YTD: 26.85%
• 1Y: 47.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BIL

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.28%
• 6M: 1.78%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 1Y: 3.82%
• 3Y*: 4.60%
• 5Y*: 3.49%
• 10Y*: 2.22%

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

SEEM vs. BIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEEM SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF	26.85%	38.16%	-6.66%
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	1.88%	4.15%	1.06%

Correlation

The correlation between SEEM and BIL is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2024	-0.13

Return for Risk

SEEM vs. BIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEEM

SEEM Risk / Return Rank: 79
SEEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
SEEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SEEM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SEEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
SEEM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

BIL

BIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
BIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

SEEM vs. BIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). 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.

	SEEM	BIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	19.22	-17.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	154.48	-151.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	69.95	-68.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	352.38	-349.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.05	2,498.94	-2,486.89

SEEM vs. BIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is lower than the BIL Sharpe Ratio of 19.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEEM and BIL, 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

SEEM vs. BIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEEM drawdown since its inception was -14.34%, which is greater than BIL's maximum drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEEM and BIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEEM	BIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.34%	-0.78%	-13.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.01%	-0.01%	-14.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.01%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.08%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-0.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.36%	0.00%	-5.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.74%	-0.26%	-2.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.86%	0.00%	+3.86%

Volatility

SEEM vs. BIL - Volatility Comparison

SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) has a higher volatility of 10.01% compared to SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) at 0.07%. This indicates that SEEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEEM	BIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.01%	0.07%	+9.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.43%	0.14%	+20.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.57%	0.20%	+22.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.19%	0.26%	+20.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.19%	0.26%	+20.93%

SEEM vs. BIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEEM has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than BIL's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEEM vs. BIL - Dividend Comparison

SEEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than BIL's 3.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	3.81%	4.13%	5.03%	4.92%	1.35%	0.00%	0.30%	2.05%	1.66%	0.68%	0.07%
SEEM SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.62%	3.31%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEEM and BIL in my portfolio?

SEEM and BIL have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEEM or BIL?

SEEM has higher volatility (10.01%) compared to BIL (0.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEEM dropped -14.34% vs BIL's -0.78%.

Which ETF is better, SEEM or BIL?

On 1-year performance, SEEM leads with 47.23% vs 3.82% for BIL. On fees, BIL is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, BIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEEM or BIL?

Over the 1-year period, SEEM has performed better with a 47.23% return vs 3.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEEM or BIL?

BIL is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SEEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEEM or BIL?

BIL has the higher dividend yield at 3.81%, compared with 2.62% for SEEM.

What is the main difference between SEEM and BIL?

SEEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while BIL is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: SEI and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SEEM and 0.14% for BIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (19.22 vs 2.06), 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.