SPIIX vs. SMQFX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

SPIIX (SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I) and SMQFX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - SPIIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while SMQFX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by SEI. Over the past 10 years, SPIIX returned 14.24%/yr vs 10.49%/yr for SMQFX. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SPIIX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SMQFX.

Performance

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPIIX achieves a 8.88% return, which is significantly lower than SMQFX's 16.94% return. Over the past 10 years, SPIIX has outperformed SMQFX with an annualized return of 14.24%, while SMQFX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.49% annualized return.

SPIIX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -0.61%
• 6M: 7.37%
• YTD: 8.88%
• 1Y: 19.67%
• 3Y*: 18.17%
• 5Y*: 11.88%
• 10Y*: 14.24%
• ALL TIME*: 10.70%

SMQFX

• 1D: 3.48%
• 1M: -1.44%
• 6M: 6.52%
• YTD: 16.94%
• 1Y: 36.80%
• 3Y*: 21.52%
• 5Y*: 11.22%
• 10Y*: 10.49%
• ALL TIME*: 8.42%

*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)
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SPIIX SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPIIX SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I	8.88%	16.97%	24.11%	25.49%	-18.84%	28.04%	17.66%	30.72%	-5.00%	21.06%
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	16.94%	40.14%	9.19%	16.67%	-19.31%	8.09%	17.33%	18.91%	-17.67%	33.53%

Correlation

The correlation between SPIIX and SMQFX is 0.72, 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.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2014	0.63

The correlation between SPIIX and SMQFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (5 years) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SPIIX vs. SMQFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPIIX

SPIIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
SPIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SPIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SPIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SPIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SPIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

SMQFX

SMQFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
SMQFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SMQFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SMQFX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
SMQFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
SMQFX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	SPIIX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.74	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	2.29	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.33	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	2.57	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.24	8.42	-0.18

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPIIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the SMQFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPIIX and SMQFX, 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

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	SPIIX	SMQFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.78%	-40.14%	-15.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-13.62%	+4.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.70%	-15.03%	-10.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.70%	-36.37%	+10.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.85%	-40.14%	+6.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-7.79%	+5.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.24%	-11.97%	+4.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	4.14%	-2.02%

Volatility

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I (SPIIX) is 3.44%, while SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) has a volatility of 7.77%. This indicates that SPIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMQFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPIIX	SMQFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.44%	7.77%	-4.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.05%	18.12%	-8.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.85%	20.05%	-7.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.55%	18.46%	+0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.88%	17.23%	+1.65%

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Dividend Comparison

SPIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.73%, less than SMQFX's 25.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	25.85%	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	7.73%	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 SPIIX and SMQFX in my portfolio?

SPIIX and SMQFX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPIIX or SMQFX?

SMQFX has higher volatility (7.77%) compared to SPIIX (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPIIX dropped -55.78% vs SMQFX's -40.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMQFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.36), 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.