SMXAX vs. VMGMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMXAX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Extended Market Index Fund) and VMGMX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SMXAX returned 12.38%/yr vs 12.27%/yr for VMGMX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMXAX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VMGMX.

Performance

SMXAX vs. VMGMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Institutional Investments Trust Extended Market Index Fund (SMXAX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMXAX achieves a 14.20% return, which is significantly higher than VMGMX's 9.27% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SMXAX having a 12.38% annualized return and VMGMX not far behind at 12.27%.

SMXAX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 5.71%
• YTD: 14.20%
• 6M: 13.10%
• 1Y: 29.94%
• 3Y*: 19.88%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

VMGMX

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 6.48%
• YTD: 9.27%
• 6M: 7.33%
• 1Y: 12.39%
• 3Y*: 16.56%
• 5Y*: 7.31%
• 10Y*: 12.27%

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

SMXAX vs. VMGMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMXAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Extended Market Index Fund	14.20%	12.61%	16.45%	24.55%	-25.39%	12.19%	32.92%	27.93%	-9.08%	18.23%
VMGMX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.27%	10.69%	15.65%	23.93%	-28.84%	20.48%	34.45%	33.85%	-5.61%	21.83%

Correlation

The correlation between SMXAX and VMGMX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2013	0.93

The correlation between SMXAX and VMGMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMXAX vs. VMGMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMXAX

SMXAX Risk / Return Rank: 49
SMXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
SMXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SMXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SMXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SMXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

VMGMX

VMGMX Risk / Return Rank: 10
VMGMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VMGMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VMGMX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VMGMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VMGMX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

SMXAX vs. VMGMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Institutional Investments Trust Extended Market Index Fund (SMXAX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX). 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.

	SMXAX	VMGMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	0.86	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	1.28	+1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.15	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	0.85	+2.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.59	2.56	+9.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMXAX vs. VMGMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMXAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is higher than the VMGMX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMXAX and VMGMX, 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

	SMXAX	VMGMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	0.86	+1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.34	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.59	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.65	-0.09

Drawdowns

SMXAX vs. VMGMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMXAX drawdown since its inception was -41.48%, which is greater than VMGMX's maximum drawdown of -37.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMXAX and VMGMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMXAX	VMGMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.48%	-37.17%	-4.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.01%	-15.95%	+5.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.72%	-21.65%	-5.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.28%	-37.17%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.48%	-37.17%	-4.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.99%	-7.02%	-0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	5.31%	-2.56%

Volatility

SMXAX vs. VMGMX - Volatility Comparison

SEI Institutional Investments Trust Extended Market Index Fund (SMXAX) has a higher volatility of 4.72% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX) at 4.27%. This indicates that SMXAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMGMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMXAX	VMGMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.72%	4.27%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.34%	12.46%	-0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.88%	15.90%	+0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.17%	21.42%	+0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.34%	20.99%	+1.35%

SMXAX vs. VMGMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMXAX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VMGMX's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SMXAX vs. VMGMX - Dividend Comparison

SMXAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.66%, more than VMGMX's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMXAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Extended Market Index Fund	9.66%	10.96%	12.66%	1.72%	4.38%	18.92%	2.78%	3.98%	6.49%	5.19%	3.44%	4.87%
VMGMX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.60%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMXAX and VMGMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SMXAX and VMGMX 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, SMXAX or VMGMX?

SMXAX has higher volatility (4.72%) compared to VMGMX (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMXAX dropped -41.48% vs VMGMX's -37.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMXAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 0.86), 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.