SPIIX vs. SNSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SPIIX (SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I) and SNSAX (SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - SPIIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while SNSAX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by SEI. Over the past 10 years, SPIIX returned 15.03%/yr vs 2.84%/yr for SNSAX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPIIX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SNSAX.

Performance

SPIIX vs. SNSAX - 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 Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPIIX achieves a 9.38% return, which is significantly higher than SNSAX's 1.56% return. Over the past 10 years, SPIIX has outperformed SNSAX with an annualized return of 15.03%, while SNSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.84% annualized return.

SPIIX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.04%
• YTD: 9.38%
• 6M: 8.37%
• 1Y: 24.51%
• 3Y*: 20.52%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.03%

SNSAX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 6M: 1.66%
• 1Y: 4.68%
• 3Y*: 5.29%
• 5Y*: 2.93%
• 10Y*: 2.84%

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

SPIIX vs. SNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPIIX SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I	9.38%	16.97%	24.11%	25.49%	-18.84%	28.04%	17.66%	30.72%	-5.00%	21.06%
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	1.56%	6.29%	5.12%	4.67%	-3.55%	2.35%	2.72%	6.25%	-0.26%	2.81%

Correlation

The correlation between SPIIX and SNSAX 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	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2003	0.55

The correlation between SPIIX and SNSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPIIX vs. SNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPIIX

SPIIX Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SPIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SPIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SNSAX

SNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 85
SNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
SNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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. SNSAX - 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 Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX). 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	SNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.71	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	4.08	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.57	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	3.51	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.87	14.02	-1.15

SPIIX vs. SNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPIIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the SNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPIIX and SNSAX, 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. SNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPIIX drawdown since its inception was -55.78%, which is greater than SNSAX's maximum drawdown of -12.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPIIX and SNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPIIX	SNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.78%	-12.22%	-43.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-1.41%	-7.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.70%	-1.96%	-23.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.70%	-6.87%	-18.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.85%	-6.87%	-26.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.75%	-0.40%	-1.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-1.83%	-5.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	0.35%	+1.66%

Volatility

SPIIX vs. SNSAX - Volatility Comparison

SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I (SPIIX) has a higher volatility of 4.67% compared to SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund (SNSAX) at 0.66%. This indicates that SPIIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SNSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPIIX	SNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	0.66%	+4.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	1.39%	+8.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.50%	1.83%	+10.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.53%	2.80%	+15.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.92%	2.58%	+16.34%

SPIIX vs. SNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPIIX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SNSAX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPIIX vs. SNSAX - Dividend Comparison

SPIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.70%, more than SNSAX's 3.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SNSAX SEI Asset Allocation Trust Defensive Strategy Fund	3.13%	3.19%	4.20%	3.08%	3.74%	3.47%	1.88%	2.40%	1.81%	1.85%	1.19%	1.21%
SPIIX SEI S&P 500 Index Fund Class I	7.70%	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 SNSAX in my portfolio?

SPIIX and SNSAX 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, SPIIX or SNSAX?

SPIIX has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to SNSAX (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPIIX dropped -55.78% vs SNSAX's -12.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SNSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 2.08), 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.