SSLCX vs. SSMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSLCX (DWS Small Cap Core Fund) and SSMAX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SSLCX returned 10.93%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for SSMAX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSLCX charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for SSMAX.

Performance

SSLCX vs. SSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Small Cap Core Fund (SSLCX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (SSMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSLCX achieves a 12.74% return, which is significantly higher than SSMAX's 12.03% return. Over the past 10 years, SSLCX has outperformed SSMAX with an annualized return of 10.93%, while SSMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.15% annualized return.

SSLCX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 12.74%
• 6M: 12.70%
• 1Y: 18.16%
• 3Y*: 13.71%
• 5Y*: 6.36%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

SSMAX

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: 2.46%
• YTD: 12.03%
• 6M: 11.32%
• 1Y: 19.84%
• 3Y*: 12.42%
• 5Y*: 4.83%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

SSLCX vs. SSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSLCX DWS Small Cap Core Fund	12.74%	4.99%	9.85%	13.09%	-13.53%	41.16%	14.65%	21.72%	-14.28%	11.63%
SSMAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund	12.03%	3.70%	11.72%	12.41%	-17.84%	25.88%	12.25%	25.52%	-11.36%	13.53%

Correlation

The correlation between SSLCX and SSMAX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2007	0.95

The correlation between SSLCX and SSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSLCX vs. SSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSLCX

SSLCX Risk / Return Rank: 24
SSLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
SSLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
SSLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
SSLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
SSLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

SSMAX

SSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 30
SSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
SSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
SSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
SSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
SSMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

SSLCX vs. SSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Small Cap Core Fund (SSLCX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (SSMAX). 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.

	SSLCX	SSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.40	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	2.09	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.25	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	2.43	-0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.69	8.11	-1.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSLCX vs. SSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSLCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the SSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSLCX and SSMAX, 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

	SSLCX	SSMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.40	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.25	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.44	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.35	+0.04

Drawdowns

SSLCX vs. SSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSLCX drawdown since its inception was -63.14%, which is greater than SSMAX's maximum drawdown of -58.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSLCX and SSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSLCX	SSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.14%	-58.31%	-4.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-8.78%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.34%	-24.61%	+7.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.57%	-26.45%	+3.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.07%	-41.23%	-6.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.31%	-9.77%	-1.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	2.62%	+0.15%

Volatility

SSLCX vs. SSMAX - Volatility Comparison

DWS Small Cap Core Fund (SSLCX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (SSMAX) have volatilities of 4.08% and 4.23%, 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

	SSLCX	SSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	4.23%	-0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.00%	10.93%	-0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.28%	15.24%	-0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.37%	19.21%	-1.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.05%	20.76%	+0.29%

SSLCX vs. SSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSLCX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SSMAX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSLCX vs. SSMAX - Dividend Comparison

SSLCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, less than SSMAX's 6.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SSLCX DWS Small Cap Core Fund	1.07%	1.21%	1.52%	0.68%	1.07%	1.67%	0.35%	0.16%	5.99%	5.78%	0.60%	8.42%
SSMAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund	6.89%	7.73%	7.95%	1.02%	7.76%	29.28%	3.90%	6.69%	25.14%	12.23%	4.94%	17.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSLCX and SSMAX in my portfolio?

SSLCX and SSMAX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSLCX or SSMAX?

SSMAX has higher volatility (4.23%) compared to SSLCX (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSLCX dropped -63.14% vs SSMAX's -58.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.30), 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.