SNSAX vs. VBISX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SNSAX (SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund) and VBISX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, SNSAX returned 2.83%/yr vs 1.70%/yr for VBISX. Their 0.29 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. SNSAX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VBISX.

Performance

SNSAX vs. VBISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

Over the past 10 years, SNSAX has outperformed VBISX with an annualized return of 2.83%, while VBISX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.70% annualized return.

SNSAX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 1.50%
• YTD: 2.23%
• 1Y: 4.81%
• 3Y*: 5.33%
• 5Y*: 2.94%
• 10Y*: 2.83%
• ALL TIME*: 2.51%

VBISX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.39%
• 6M: -0.04%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 1Y: 1.92%
• 3Y*: 4.13%
• 5Y*: 1.33%
• 10Y*: 1.70%
• ALL TIME*: 3.36%

*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)
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SNSAX vs. VBISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	2.23%	6.29%	5.12%	4.67%	-3.55%	2.35%	2.72%	6.25%	-0.26%	2.81%
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund	0.00%	5.67%	3.66%	4.54%	-5.61%	-1.35%	4.63%	4.78%	1.27%	1.10%

Correlation

The correlation between SNSAX and VBISX is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2003	0.29

Over the past year, SNSAX and VBISX have become more correlated (0.60) than their long-term average of 0.29, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

SNSAX vs. VBISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SNSAX

SNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

VBISX

VBISX Risk / Return Rank: 34
VBISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VBISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VBISX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VBISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VBISX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

SNSAX vs. VBISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX). 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.

	SNSAX	VBISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	1.14	+1.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	1.85	+2.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.22	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	1.64	+1.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.99	4.48	+9.50

SNSAX vs. VBISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SNSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is higher than the VBISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SNSAX and VBISX, 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

SNSAX vs. VBISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SNSAX drawdown since its inception was -12.22%, which is greater than VBISX's maximum drawdown of -8.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SNSAX and VBISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SNSAX	VBISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.22%	-8.79%	-3.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.41%	-1.54%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.96%	-1.55%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.87%	-8.55%	+1.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.87%	-8.79%	+1.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.92%	+0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.82%	-0.87%	-0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	0.56%	-0.21%

Volatility

SNSAX vs. VBISX - Volatility Comparison

SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX) have volatilities of 0.47% and 0.46%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SNSAX	VBISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.47%	0.46%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.41%	1.69%	-0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81%	2.23%	-0.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.80%	2.96%	-0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.57%	2.39%	+0.18%

SNSAX vs. VBISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SNSAX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than VBISX's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SNSAX vs. VBISX - Dividend Comparison

SNSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%, less than VBISX's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	3.16%	3.19%	4.20%	3.08%	3.74%	3.47%	1.88%	2.40%	1.81%	1.85%	1.19%	1.21%
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund	3.61%	3.44%	3.29%	2.10%	1.38%	1.16%	1.72%	2.16%	1.92%	1.58%	1.42%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SNSAX and VBISX in my portfolio?

SNSAX and VBISX have a correlation of 0.60, 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 VBISX?

SNSAX has higher volatility (0.47%) compared to VBISX (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SNSAX dropped -12.22% vs VBISX's -8.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SNSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.14), 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.