SSMHX vs. BHYIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SSMHX (State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio) and BHYIX (BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - SSMHX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by State Street, while BHYIX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, SSMHX returned 11.83%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for BHYIX. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SSMHX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for BHYIX.

Performance

SSMHX vs. BHYIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (SSMHX) and BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio Institutional Shares (BHYIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSMHX achieves a 13.05% return, which is significantly higher than BHYIX's 1.76% return. Over the past 10 years, SSMHX has outperformed BHYIX with an annualized return of 11.83%, while BHYIX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.89% annualized return.

SSMHX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 4.26%
• YTD: 13.05%
• 6M: 13.41%
• 1Y: 30.46%
• 3Y*: 17.77%
• 5Y*: 5.96%
• 10Y*: 11.83%

BHYIX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.76%
• 6M: 2.44%
• 1Y: 8.04%
• 3Y*: 9.26%
• 5Y*: 4.46%
• 10Y*: 5.89%

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

SSMHX vs. BHYIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSMHX State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio	13.05%	12.90%	10.73%	25.21%	-25.43%	13.08%	32.46%	28.00%	-9.21%	18.26%
BHYIX BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio Institutional Shares	1.76%	9.18%	8.55%	13.19%	-11.24%	5.53%	5.87%	15.35%	-2.81%	8.23%

Correlation

The correlation between SSMHX and BHYIX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 2015	0.51

The correlation between SSMHX and BHYIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSMHX vs. BHYIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSMHX

SSMHX Risk / Return Rank: 45
SSMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SSMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
SSMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
SSMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SSMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

BHYIX

BHYIX Risk / Return Rank: 82
BHYIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
BHYIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BHYIX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BHYIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BHYIX 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.

SSMHX vs. BHYIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (SSMHX) and BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio Institutional Shares (BHYIX). 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.

	SSMHX	BHYIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	2.40	-0.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	4.31	-1.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.56	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	3.60	-0.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.09	17.89	-6.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSMHX vs. BHYIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSMHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the BHYIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSMHX and BHYIX, 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

	SSMHX	BHYIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	2.40	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.85	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	1.00	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	1.22	-0.74

Drawdowns

SSMHX vs. BHYIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSMHX drawdown since its inception was -41.61%, which is greater than BHYIX's maximum drawdown of -34.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSMHX and BHYIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSMHX	BHYIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.61%	-34.82%	-6.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.03%	-2.41%	-7.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.38%	-4.07%	-26.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.84%	-15.45%	-19.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.61%	-23.23%	-18.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.14%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.15%	-2.76%	-6.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	0.48%	+2.28%

Volatility

SSMHX vs. BHYIX - Volatility Comparison

State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (SSMHX) has a higher volatility of 4.63% compared to BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio Institutional Shares (BHYIX) at 1.10%. This indicates that SSMHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BHYIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSMHX	BHYIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.63%	1.10%	+3.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.34%	2.64%	+9.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.91%	3.37%	+13.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.41%	5.24%	+17.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.39%	5.93%	+16.46%

SSMHX vs. BHYIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSMHX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than BHYIX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSMHX vs. BHYIX - Dividend Comparison

SSMHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.30%, less than BHYIX's 7.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BHYIX BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio Institutional Shares	7.06%	7.05%	7.46%	6.15%	4.91%	4.73%	5.12%	5.70%	6.33%	5.82%	5.96%	6.33%
SSMHX State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio	6.30%	7.12%	0.00%	1.56%	2.31%	16.30%	2.91%	3.65%	6.43%	4.01%	1.71%	0.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSMHX and BHYIX in my portfolio?

SSMHX and BHYIX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSMHX or BHYIX?

SSMHX has higher volatility (4.63%) compared to BHYIX (1.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSMHX dropped -41.61% vs BHYIX's -34.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BHYIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.83), 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.