SEIS vs. FGSM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SEIS (SEI Select Small Cap ETF) and FGSM (Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEIS is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SEI, while FGSM is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Frontier. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SEIS returned 30.81% vs 31.82% for FGSM. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SEIS charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for FGSM.

Performance

SEIS vs. FGSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) and Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF (FGSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SEIS having a 17.92% return and FGSM slightly lower at 17.36%.

SEIS

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: 0.56%
• 6M: 11.23%
• YTD: 17.92%
• 1Y: 30.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.23%

FGSM

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 1.16%
• 6M: 10.32%
• YTD: 17.36%
• 1Y: 31.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.21%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FGSM Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF	$101.64K	$86.11K	$273.15K
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	$2.08M	$1.63M	$1.54M

SEIS vs. FGSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	17.92%	9.81%	-0.08%
FGSM Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF	17.36%	21.33%	-0.27%

Correlation

The correlation between SEIS and FGSM is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2024	0.91

The correlation between SEIS and FGSM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEIS vs. FGSM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SEIS

SEIS Risk / Return Rank: 64
SEIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SEIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SEIS Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SEIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SEIS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

FGSM

FGSM Risk / Return Rank: 83
FGSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FGSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FGSM Omega Ratio Rank: 82
FGSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FGSM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SEIS vs. FGSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) and Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF (FGSM). 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.

	SEIS	FGSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.11	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	3.00	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.37	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.25	-0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.95	12.72	-3.77

SEIS vs. FGSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEIS Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the FGSM Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEIS and FGSM, 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

SEIS vs. FGSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEIS drawdown since its inception was -26.08%, which is greater than FGSM's maximum drawdown of -17.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEIS and FGSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEIS	FGSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.08%	-17.72%	-8.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-9.84%	-1.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	0.00%	-1.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.62%	-2.08%	-3.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	2.51%	+0.94%

Volatility

SEIS vs. FGSM - Volatility Comparison

SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) has a higher volatility of 4.66% compared to Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF (FGSM) at 3.89%. This indicates that SEIS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FGSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEIS	FGSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.66%	3.89%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.54%	11.59%	+2.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.43%	15.17%	+4.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.77%	17.48%	+4.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.77%	17.48%	+4.29%

SEIS vs. FGSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEIS has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than FGSM's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEIS vs. FGSM - Dividend Comparison

SEIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than FGSM's 1.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FGSM Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF	1.27%	1.56%	0.00%
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	0.33%	0.59%	0.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEIS and FGSM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SEIS and FGSM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SEIS or FGSM?

SEIS has higher volatility (4.66%) compared to FGSM (3.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEIS dropped -26.08% vs FGSM's -17.72%.

Which ETF is better, SEIS or FGSM?

On 1-year performance, FGSM leads with 31.82% vs 30.81% for SEIS. On fees, SEIS is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, FGSM has been the lower-risk option at 3.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEIS or FGSM?

Over the 1-year period, FGSM has performed better with a 31.82% return vs 30.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEIS or FGSM?

SEIS is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for FGSM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEIS or FGSM?

FGSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.33% for SEIS.

What is the main difference between SEIS and FGSM?

SEIS is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while FGSM is Global Equities. They also come from different issuers: SEI and Frontier. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for SEIS and 0.90% for FGSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FGSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.60), 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.