SLPAX vs. VSMAX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SLPAX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small Cap Fund) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SLPAX returned 9.93%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for VSMAX. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. SLPAX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSMAX.

Performance

SLPAX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small Cap Fund (SLPAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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 SLPAX having a 15.48% return and VSMAX slightly lower at 15.17%. Over the past 10 years, SLPAX has underperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 9.93%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.06% annualized return.

SLPAX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -0.82%
• 6M: 8.73%
• YTD: 15.48%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: 15.02%
• 5Y*: 7.71%
• 10Y*: 9.93%
• ALL TIME*: 6.58%

VSMAX

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: -1.81%
• 6M: 9.26%
• YTD: 15.17%
• 1Y: 25.82%
• 3Y*: 13.99%
• 5Y*: 7.42%
• 10Y*: 11.06%
• ALL TIME*: 8.91%

*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)
SLPAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small Cap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SLPAX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLPAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small Cap Fund	15.48%	9.96%	16.62%	11.43%	-17.21%	24.76%	13.08%	23.74%	-11.25%	9.33%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.17%	8.83%	14.23%	18.17%	-17.61%	17.74%	19.06%	27.36%	-9.33%	16.24%

Correlation

The correlation between SLPAX and VSMAX is 0.94, 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.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2007	0.98

The correlation between SLPAX and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SLPAX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLPAX

SLPAX Risk / Return Rank: 67
SLPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SLPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SLPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
SLPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SLPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VSMAX

VSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 61
VSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VSMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

SLPAX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small Cap Fund (SLPAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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.

	SLPAX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.46	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	2.13	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.26	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	2.67	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.09	9.77	+0.31

SLPAX vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLPAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLPAX and VSMAX, 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

SLPAX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLPAX drawdown since its inception was -67.12%, which is greater than VSMAX's maximum drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLPAX and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLPAX	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.12%	-59.68%	-7.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.48%	-8.97%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.04%	-25.25%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.86%	-28.14%	-12.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.22%	-41.82%	-1.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.21%	-2.59%	+0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.30%	-9.64%	-7.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	2.45%	+0.32%

Volatility

SLPAX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small Cap Fund (SLPAX) has a higher volatility of 3.65% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) at 3.29%. This indicates that SLPAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLPAX	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	3.29%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.58%	11.98%	+0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.43%	16.47%	+0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.69%	20.66%	+6.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.90%	21.51%	+3.39%

SLPAX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLPAX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLPAX vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

SLPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.86%, more than VSMAX's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SLPAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small Cap Fund	23.86%	27.06%	3.82%	0.81%	8.25%	31.45%	4.90%	6.38%	27.71%	10.28%	3.54%	12.97%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.21%	1.33%	1.30%	1.56%	1.54%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.49%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLPAX and VSMAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SLPAX and VSMAX 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, SLPAX or VSMAX?

SLPAX has higher volatility (3.65%) compared to VSMAX (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLPAX dropped -67.12% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.46), 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.