SSCNX vs. SSAQX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SSCNX (State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund) and SSAQX (State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - SSCNX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by State Street, while SSAQX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by State Street. Over the past 5 years, SSCNX returned 7.41%/yr vs 9.19%/yr for SSAQX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSCNX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for SSAQX.

Performance

SSCNX vs. SSAQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund (SSCNX) and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSCNX achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly higher than SSAQX's 7.33% return.

SSCNX

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 3.19%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 9.85%
• 1Y: 22.92%
• 3Y*: 16.33%
• 5Y*: 7.41%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

SSAQX

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 6M: 7.08%
• 1Y: 24.66%
• 3Y*: 14.65%
• 5Y*: 9.19%
• 10Y*: —

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

SSCNX vs. SSAQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SSCNX State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund	9.51%	19.00%	11.21%	17.68%	-18.55%	4.47%
SSAQX State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund	7.33%	17.43%	5.04%	28.87%	-18.27%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between SSCNX and SSAQX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	0.90

The correlation between SSCNX and SSAQX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSCNX vs. SSAQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSCNX

SSCNX Risk / Return Rank: 67
SSCNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SSCNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SSCNX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SSCNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SSCNX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

SSAQX

SSAQX Risk / Return Rank: 46
SSAQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SSAQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
SSAQX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
SSAQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
SSAQX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

SSCNX vs. SSAQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund (SSCNX) and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX). 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.

	SSCNX	SSAQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.08	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	2.88	+0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.37	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	2.33	+0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	10.01	+2.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSCNX vs. SSAQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSCNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the SSAQX Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSCNX and SSAQX, 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

	SSCNX	SSAQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.08	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.49	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.50	+0.19

Drawdowns

SSCNX vs. SSAQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSCNX drawdown since its inception was -27.49%, smaller than the maximum SSAQX drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSCNX and SSAQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSCNX	SSAQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.49%	-31.70%	+4.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.96%	-10.74%	+2.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.72%	-31.70%	+18.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.14%	-31.70%	+5.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.49%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-0.71%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.76%	-8.08%	+3.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	2.49%	-0.64%

Volatility

SSCNX vs. SSAQX - Volatility Comparison

State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund (SSCNX) and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX) have volatilities of 3.12% and 3.09%, 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

	SSCNX	SSAQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	3.09%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.76%	9.24%	-1.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.64%	12.01%	-2.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.73%	18.86%	-6.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.46%	18.86%	-5.40%

SSCNX vs. SSAQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSCNX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than SSAQX's 0.16% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SSCNX vs. SSAQX - Dividend Comparison

SSCNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.58%, less than SSAQX's 11.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SSAQX State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund	11.20%	12.02%	0.00%	3.83%	9.83%	13.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SSCNX State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund	6.58%	7.21%	4.97%	3.78%	5.39%	5.58%	4.63%	6.31%	5.11%	0.38%	1.77%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSCNX and SSAQX in my portfolio?

SSCNX and SSAQX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSCNX or SSAQX?

SSCNX has higher volatility (3.12%) compared to SSAQX (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSCNX dropped -27.49% vs SSAQX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSCNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 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.