SPIIX vs. SMQFX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I (SPIIX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX).

SPIIX is a passively managed fund by SEI that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jun 28, 2002. SMQFX is managed by SEI. It was launched on Oct 30, 2014.

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.

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	-7.22%	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	1.01%	40.14%	9.19%	16.67%	-19.31%	8.09%	17.33%	18.91%	-17.67%	33.53%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPIIX achieves a -7.22% return, which is significantly lower than SMQFX's 1.01% return. Over the past 10 years, SPIIX has outperformed SMQFX with an annualized return of 12.99%, while SMQFX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.77% annualized return.

SPIIX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -7.73%
• YTD: -7.22%
• 6M: -5.00%
• 1Y: 13.56%
• 3Y*: 16.34%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 10Y*: 12.99%

SMQFX

• 1D: -1.09%
• 1M: -13.02%
• YTD: 1.01%
• 6M: 6.59%
• 1Y: 39.30%
• 3Y*: 19.29%
• 5Y*: 8.57%
• 10Y*: 9.77%

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

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

SPIIX

SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I

SMQFX

SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Return for Risk

SPIIX vs. SMQFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPIIX

SPIIX Risk / Return Rank: 40
SPIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
SPIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SPIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SPIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
SPIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

SMQFX

SMQFX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMQFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMQFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SMQFX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
SMQFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SMQFX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

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.

	SPIIX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	2.34	-1.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.23	2.90	-1.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.45	-0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	2.64	-1.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.73	10.90	-6.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPIIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the SMQFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPIIX and SMQFX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPIIX	SMQFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	2.34	-1.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.50	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.59	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.44	+0.09

Correlation

The correlation between SPIIX and SMQFX is 0.62, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Dividend Comparison

SPIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.08%, less than SMQFX's 29.93% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPIIX SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I	9.08%	8.42%	12.20%	4.10%	10.27%	7.03%	5.78%	4.04%	3.90%	2.08%	4.34%	1.53%
SMQFX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund	29.93%	30.23%	6.43%	3.24%	5.32%	17.70%	1.80%	1.89%	11.55%	2.70%	2.15%	1.69%

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	-12.14%	-13.62%	+1.48%
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	-9.02%	-13.62%	+4.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.33%	-12.20%	+4.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	3.30%	-0.78%

Volatility

SPIIX vs. SMQFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I (SPIIX) is 4.24%, while SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SMQFX) has a volatility of 7.68%. 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	4.24%	7.68%	-3.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	12.19%	-3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.13%	16.50%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.41%	17.36%	+1.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.84%	16.69%	+2.15%