SSMGX vs. PARNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSMGX (SIT Small Cap Growth Fund) and PARNX (Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SSMGX returned 11.24%/yr vs 9.44%/yr for PARNX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSMGX charges 1.50%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for PARNX.

Performance

SSMGX vs. PARNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SIT Small Cap Growth Fund (SSMGX) and Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund (PARNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSMGX achieves a 18.84% return, which is significantly higher than PARNX's 6.00% return. Over the past 10 years, SSMGX has outperformed PARNX with an annualized return of 11.24%, while PARNX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.44% annualized return.

SSMGX

• 1D: 2.34%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 18.84%
• 6M: 18.57%
• 1Y: 34.08%
• 3Y*: 17.16%
• 5Y*: 6.30%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

PARNX

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 6.10%
• YTD: 6.00%
• 6M: 3.61%
• 1Y: 17.63%
• 3Y*: 15.27%
• 5Y*: 4.53%
• 10Y*: 9.44%

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

SSMGX vs. PARNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSMGX SIT Small Cap Growth Fund	18.84%	9.40%	13.42%	16.93%	-25.59%	15.80%	35.97%	29.19%	-10.88%	15.69%
PARNX Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund	6.00%	9.14%	10.58%	35.60%	-33.54%	9.35%	28.75%	29.82%	-9.80%	16.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SSMGX and PARNX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 1995	0.82

The correlation between SSMGX and PARNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSMGX vs. PARNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSMGX

SSMGX Risk / Return Rank: 57
SSMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SSMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SSMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SSMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
SSMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

PARNX

PARNX Risk / Return Rank: 15
PARNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
PARNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
PARNX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
PARNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
PARNX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

SSMGX vs. PARNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SIT Small Cap Growth Fund (SSMGX) and Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund (PARNX). 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.

	SSMGX	PARNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.05	+0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	1.58	+1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.18	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	1.35	+2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.76	4.46	+9.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSMGX vs. PARNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSMGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is higher than the PARNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSMGX and PARNX, 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

	SSMGX	PARNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	1.05	+0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.19	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.43	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.44	-0.06

Drawdowns

SSMGX vs. PARNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSMGX drawdown since its inception was -65.75%, which is greater than PARNX's maximum drawdown of -54.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSMGX and PARNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSMGX	PARNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.75%	-54.34%	-11.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.05%	-14.49%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.67%	-27.87%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.37%	-41.75%	+7.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.72%	-41.75%	+6.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-0.51%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-12.68%	-6.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	4.36%	-1.69%

Volatility

SSMGX vs. PARNX - Volatility Comparison

SIT Small Cap Growth Fund (SSMGX) has a higher volatility of 5.37% compared to Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund (PARNX) at 4.60%. This indicates that SSMGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PARNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSMGX	PARNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.37%	4.60%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.07%	14.12%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.14%	18.63%	-0.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.86%	23.88%	-2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.59%	21.88%	-0.29%

SSMGX vs. PARNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSMGX has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than PARNX's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSMGX vs. PARNX - Dividend Comparison

SSMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, less than PARNX's 16.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PARNX Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund	16.37%	17.36%	7.38%	2.86%	1.23%	4.50%	5.20%	4.21%	7.94%	7.96%	2.04%	19.70%
SSMGX SIT Small Cap Growth Fund	4.61%	5.48%	4.69%	3.13%	1.73%	15.89%	3.44%	3.14%	9.80%	6.81%	0.17%	10.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSMGX and PARNX in my portfolio?

SSMGX and PARNX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSMGX or PARNX?

SSMGX has higher volatility (5.37%) compared to PARNX (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSMGX dropped -65.75% vs PARNX's -54.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSMGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.05), 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.