SSAQX vs. SSKEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSAQX (State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund) and SSKEX (State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both mutual funds - SSAQX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by State Street, while SSKEX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by State Street. Over the past 5 years, SSAQX returned 9.49%/yr vs 7.79%/yr for SSKEX. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SSAQX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SSKEX.

Performance

SSAQX vs. SSKEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSAQX achieves a 8.01% return, which is significantly lower than SSKEX's 28.95% return.

SSAQX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.01%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 25.69%
• 3Y*: 14.89%
• 5Y*: 9.49%
• 10Y*: —

SSKEX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 8.80%
• YTD: 28.95%
• 6M: 32.16%
• 1Y: 57.79%
• 3Y*: 24.72%
• 5Y*: 7.79%
• 10Y*: 10.59%

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

SSAQX vs. SSKEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SSAQX State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund	8.01%	17.43%	5.04%	28.87%	-18.27%	12.02%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	28.95%	33.79%	7.00%	9.50%	-20.23%	-6.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SSAQX and SSKEX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	0.52

The correlation between SSAQX and SSKEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSAQX vs. SSKEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSAQX

SSAQX Risk / Return Rank: 51
SSAQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SSAQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SSAQX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
SSAQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
SSAQX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

SSKEX

SSKEX Risk / Return Rank: 92
SSKEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SSKEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SSKEX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SSKEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SSKEX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

SSAQX vs. SSKEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX). 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.

	SSAQX	SSKEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	3.54	-1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	4.54	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.66	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	4.68	-2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.62	17.65	-7.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSAQX vs. SSKEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSAQX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is lower than the SSKEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSAQX and SSKEX, 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

	SSAQX	SSKEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	3.54	-1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.47	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.63	-0.12

Drawdowns

SSAQX vs. SSKEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSAQX drawdown since its inception was -31.70%, smaller than the maximum SSKEX drawdown of -39.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSAQX and SSKEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSAQX	SSKEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.70%	-39.23%	+7.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.74%	-12.44%	+1.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.70%	-16.09%	-15.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.70%	-37.04%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.23%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	0.00%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.08%	-13.27%	+5.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	3.29%	-0.80%

Volatility

SSAQX vs. SSKEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX) is 3.04%, while State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX) has a volatility of 6.69%. This indicates that SSAQX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SSKEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSAQX	SSKEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	6.69%	-3.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.23%	14.03%	-4.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.99%	16.47%	-4.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.86%	16.50%	+2.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.86%	17.29%	+1.57%

SSAQX vs. SSKEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSAQX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than SSKEX's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SSAQX vs. SSKEX - Dividend Comparison

SSAQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.13%, more than SSKEX's 2.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SSAQX State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund	11.13%	12.02%	0.00%	3.83%	9.83%	13.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.21%	2.85%	2.90%	3.26%	3.90%	1.95%	1.84%	2.84%	3.01%	2.55%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSAQX and SSKEX in my portfolio?

SSAQX and SSKEX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSAQX or SSKEX?

SSKEX has higher volatility (6.69%) compared to SSAQX (3.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSAQX dropped -31.70% vs SSKEX's -39.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSKEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.54 vs 2.21), 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.