SGYAX vs. SMQFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SGYAX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust High Yield Bond Fund) and SMQFX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - SGYAX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by SEI, while SMQFX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by SEI. Over the past 10 years, SGYAX returned 5.88%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for SMQFX. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SGYAX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SMQFX.

Performance

SGYAX vs. SMQFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Institutional Investments Trust High Yield Bond Fund (SGYAX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SGYAX achieves a 1.44% return, which is significantly lower than SMQFX's 25.91% return. Over the past 10 years, SGYAX has underperformed SMQFX with an annualized return of 5.88%, while SMQFX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.

SGYAX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 6M: 2.02%
• 1Y: 6.83%
• 3Y*: 8.58%
• 5Y*: 3.61%
• 10Y*: 5.88%

SMQFX

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 6.03%
• YTD: 25.91%
• 6M: 29.41%
• 1Y: 57.78%
• 3Y*: 27.53%
• 5Y*: 11.66%
• 10Y*: 12.03%

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

SGYAX vs. SMQFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SGYAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust High Yield Bond Fund	1.44%	8.01%	9.12%	10.89%	-13.29%	9.62%	6.04%	14.01%	-2.04%	8.08%
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	25.91%	40.14%	9.19%	16.67%	-19.31%	8.09%	17.33%	18.91%	-17.67%	33.53%

Correlation

The correlation between SGYAX and SMQFX is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2014	0.49

The correlation between SGYAX and SMQFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SGYAX vs. SMQFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGYAX

SGYAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
SGYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SGYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
SGYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SGYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
SGYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

SMQFX

SMQFX Risk / Return Rank: 92
SMQFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMQFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SMQFX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SMQFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SMQFX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

SGYAX vs. SMQFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Institutional Investments Trust High Yield Bond Fund (SGYAX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX). 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.

	SGYAX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	3.62	-1.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	4.54	-0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.69	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	4.39	-1.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.56	17.56	-7.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SGYAX vs. SMQFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGYAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is lower than the SMQFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGYAX and SMQFX, 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

	SGYAX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	3.62	-1.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.66	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.11	0.71	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.56	+0.07

Drawdowns

SGYAX vs. SMQFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGYAX drawdown since its inception was -45.51%, which is greater than SMQFX's maximum drawdown of -40.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGYAX and SMQFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGYAX	SMQFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.51%	-40.14%	-5.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.77%	-13.62%	+10.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.18%	-15.03%	+10.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.45%	-36.37%	+20.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.85%	-40.14%	+18.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.72%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.05%	-12.05%	+6.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	3.40%	-2.75%

Volatility

SGYAX vs. SMQFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SEI Institutional Investments Trust High Yield Bond Fund (SGYAX) is 1.02%, while SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) has a volatility of 7.01%. This indicates that SGYAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMQFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SGYAX	SMQFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.02%	7.01%	-5.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.68%	14.09%	-11.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.43%	16.50%	-13.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.79%	17.77%	-12.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.31%	16.92%	-11.61%

SGYAX vs. SMQFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SGYAX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is lower than SMQFX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

SGYAX vs. SMQFX - Dividend Comparison

SGYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.76%, less than SMQFX's 24.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SGYAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust High Yield Bond Fund	8.76%	8.88%	8.68%	10.08%	8.79%	5.37%	7.30%	7.15%	7.31%	7.27%	7.30%	7.88%
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	24.01%	30.23%	6.43%	3.24%	5.32%	17.70%	1.80%	1.89%	11.55%	2.70%	2.15%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGYAX and SMQFX in my portfolio?

SGYAX and SMQFX have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SGYAX or SMQFX?

SMQFX has higher volatility (7.01%) compared to SGYAX (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGYAX dropped -45.51% vs SMQFX's -40.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMQFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.62 vs 2.00), 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.