SMQFX vs. SPIIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SMQFX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and SPIIX (SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I) are both mutual funds - SMQFX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by SEI, while SPIIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, SMQFX returned 11.99%/yr vs 14.81%/yr for SPIIX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMQFX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for SPIIX.

Performance

SMQFX vs. SPIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) and SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I (SPIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMQFX achieves a 26.01% return, which is significantly higher than SPIIX's 9.79% return. Over the past 10 years, SMQFX has underperformed SPIIX with an annualized return of 11.99%, while SPIIX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.81% annualized return.

SMQFX

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 5.75%
• YTD: 26.01%
• 6M: 28.33%
• 1Y: 55.66%
• 3Y*: 25.81%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: 11.99%

SPIIX

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.18%
• 3Y*: 20.11%
• 5Y*: 13.28%
• 10Y*: 14.81%

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

SMQFX vs. SPIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	26.01%	40.14%	9.19%	16.67%	-19.31%	8.09%	17.33%	18.91%	-17.67%	33.53%
SPIIX SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I	9.79%	16.97%	24.11%	25.49%	-18.84%	28.04%	17.66%	30.72%	-5.00%	21.06%

Correlation

The correlation between SMQFX and SPIIX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2014	0.62

The correlation between SMQFX and SPIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMQFX vs. SPIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMQFX

SMQFX Risk / Return Rank: 89
SMQFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SMQFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SMQFX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SMQFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SMQFX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

SPIIX

SPIIX Risk / Return Rank: 61
SPIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SPIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SPIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

SMQFX vs. SPIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) and SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I (SPIIX). 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.

	SMQFX	SPIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	2.10	+0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	2.83	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.38	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	2.90	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.59	12.99	+2.61

SMQFX vs. SPIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMQFX Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is higher than the SPIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMQFX and SPIIX, 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

SMQFX vs. SPIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMQFX drawdown since its inception was -40.14%, smaller than the maximum SPIIX drawdown of -55.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMQFX and SPIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMQFX	SPIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.14%	-55.78%	+15.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.62%	-9.02%	-4.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.03%	-25.70%	+10.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.37%	-25.70%	-10.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.14%	-33.85%	-6.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-1.38%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.02%	-7.27%	-4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.54%	2.00%	+1.54%

Volatility

SMQFX vs. SPIIX - Volatility Comparison

SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) has a higher volatility of 8.90% compared to SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I (SPIIX) at 4.76%. This indicates that SMQFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMQFX	SPIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.90%	4.76%	+4.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.12%	9.88%	+6.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.17%	12.47%	+5.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.11%	18.53%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.07%	18.91%	-1.84%

SMQFX vs. SPIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMQFX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than SPIIX's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMQFX vs. SPIIX - Dividend Comparison

SMQFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.99%, more than SPIIX's 7.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	23.99%	30.23%	6.43%	3.24%	5.32%	17.70%	1.80%	1.89%	11.55%	2.70%	2.15%	1.69%
SPIIX SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I	7.67%	8.42%	12.20%	4.10%	10.27%	7.03%	5.78%	4.04%	3.90%	2.08%	4.34%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMQFX and SPIIX in my portfolio?

SMQFX and SPIIX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMQFX or SPIIX?

SMQFX has higher volatility (8.90%) compared to SPIIX (4.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMQFX dropped -40.14% vs SPIIX's -55.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMQFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 2.10), 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.