SNSAX vs. SDLAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SNSAX (SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund) and SDLAX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund) are both mutual funds - SNSAX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by SEI, while SDLAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by SEI. Over the past 10 years, SNSAX returned 2.86%/yr vs 15.38%/yr for SDLAX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SNSAX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for SDLAX.

Performance

SNSAX vs. SDLAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund (SDLAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SNSAX achieves a 1.86% return, which is significantly lower than SDLAX's 10.77% return. Over the past 10 years, SNSAX has underperformed SDLAX with an annualized return of 2.86%, while SDLAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.38% annualized return.

SNSAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 1.86%
• 6M: 2.07%
• 1Y: 5.44%
• 3Y*: 5.47%
• 5Y*: 2.97%
• 10Y*: 2.86%

SDLAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 10.77%
• 6M: 10.67%
• 1Y: 28.45%
• 3Y*: 22.51%
• 5Y*: 14.17%
• 10Y*: 15.38%

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

SNSAX vs. SDLAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	1.86%	6.29%	5.12%	4.67%	-3.55%	2.35%	2.72%	6.25%	-0.26%	2.81%
SDLAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund	10.77%	20.37%	24.23%	22.00%	-16.10%	31.43%	20.70%	27.68%	-7.77%	19.77%

Correlation

The correlation between SNSAX and SDLAX is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011	0.55

The correlation between SNSAX and SDLAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SNSAX vs. SDLAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SNSAX

SNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 89
SNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SDLAX

SDLAX Risk / Return Rank: 62
SDLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SDLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SDLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SDLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SDLAX 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.

SNSAX vs. SDLAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund (SDLAX). 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.

	SNSAX	SDLAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.12	2.31	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.81	3.17	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.42	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	2.98	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.62	13.84	+1.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SNSAX vs. SDLAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SNSAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.12, which is higher than the SDLAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SNSAX and SDLAX, 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

	SNSAX	SDLAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.12	2.31	+0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.07	0.55	+0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.12	0.68	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.16	0.70	+0.47

Drawdowns

SNSAX vs. SDLAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SNSAX drawdown since its inception was -12.22%, smaller than the maximum SDLAX drawdown of -35.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SNSAX and SDLAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SNSAX	SDLAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.22%	-35.25%	+23.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.41%	-9.76%	+8.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.96%	-35.25%	+33.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.87%	-35.25%	+28.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.87%	-35.25%	+28.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.83%	-5.74%	+3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	2.10%	-1.75%

Volatility

SNSAX vs. SDLAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) is 0.49%, while SEI Institutional Investments Trust Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund (SDLAX) has a volatility of 3.48%. This indicates that SNSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SDLAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SNSAX	SDLAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	3.48%	-2.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.30%	9.77%	-8.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75%	12.60%	-10.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.79%	26.04%	-23.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.57%	22.70%	-20.13%

SNSAX vs. SDLAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SNSAX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than SDLAX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

SNSAX vs. SDLAX - Dividend Comparison

SNSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, less than SDLAX's 12.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SDLAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund	12.46%	13.81%	32.97%	12.32%	14.88%	17.50%	12.09%	12.85%	1.86%	3.79%	1.60%	6.89%
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	3.12%	3.19%	4.20%	3.08%	3.74%	3.47%	1.88%	2.40%	1.81%	1.85%	1.19%	1.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SNSAX and SDLAX in my portfolio?

SNSAX and SDLAX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SNSAX or SDLAX?

SDLAX has higher volatility (3.48%) compared to SNSAX (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SNSAX dropped -12.22% vs SDLAX's -35.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SNSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.12 vs 2.31), 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.