SVOAX vs. TOWFX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

SVOAX (SEI Institutional Managed Trust U.S. Managed Volatility Fund) and TOWFX (Towpath Focus Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, SVOAX returned 7.64%/yr vs 12.02%/yr for TOWFX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SVOAX charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.11%/yr for TOWFX.

Performance

SVOAX vs. TOWFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Institutional Managed Trust U.S. Managed Volatility Fund (SVOAX) and Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SVOAX achieves a 5.59% return, which is significantly lower than TOWFX's 10.19% return.

SVOAX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.97%
• 6M: 4.40%
• YTD: 5.59%
• 1Y: 9.77%
• 3Y*: 11.95%
• 5Y*: 7.64%
• 10Y*: 8.53%

TOWFX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.55%
• 6M: 8.26%
• YTD: 10.19%
• 1Y: 25.02%
• 3Y*: 19.45%
• 5Y*: 12.02%
• 10Y*: —

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

SVOAX vs. TOWFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SVOAX SEI Institutional Managed Trust U.S. Managed Volatility Fund	5.59%	10.47%	15.46%	3.68%	-1.10%	19.77%	-2.15%	0.22%
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	10.19%	23.51%	13.22%	12.33%	-2.06%	26.52%	19.46%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SVOAX and TOWFX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2019	0.84

The correlation between SVOAX and TOWFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SVOAX vs. TOWFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVOAX

SVOAX Risk / Return Rank: 25
SVOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
SVOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
SVOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
SVOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
SVOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

TOWFX

TOWFX Risk / Return Rank: 93
TOWFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
TOWFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
TOWFX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
TOWFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
TOWFX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

SVOAX vs. TOWFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Institutional Managed Trust U.S. Managed Volatility Fund (SVOAX) and Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SVOAX	TOWFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.99	2.70	-1.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	3.99	-2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.48	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.63	5.30	-3.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.06	19.63	-14.57

SVOAX vs. TOWFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVOAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.99, which is lower than the TOWFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVOAX and TOWFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SVOAX vs. TOWFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVOAX drawdown since its inception was -47.22%, smaller than the maximum TOWFX drawdown of -96.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVOAX and TOWFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVOAX	TOWFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.22%	-96.18%	+48.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	-4.72%	-0.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.19%	-96.18%	+75.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.19%	-96.18%	+75.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.09%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-94.55%	+93.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.90%	-24.10%	+18.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	1.27%	+0.46%

Volatility

SVOAX vs. TOWFX - Volatility Comparison

SEI Institutional Managed Trust U.S. Managed Volatility Fund (SVOAX) has a higher volatility of 3.15% compared to Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX) at 2.94%. This indicates that SVOAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TOWFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SVOAX	TOWFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.15%	2.94%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.61%	7.05%	-0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.85%	9.25%	-0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.14%	1,041.96%	-1,025.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.14%	912.97%	-896.83%

SVOAX vs. TOWFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVOAX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than TOWFX's 1.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVOAX vs. TOWFX - Dividend Comparison

SVOAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.11%, more than TOWFX's 1.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SVOAX SEI Institutional Managed Trust U.S. Managed Volatility Fund	16.11%	16.95%	17.05%	13.66%	11.01%	18.42%	1.47%	4.66%	13.86%	9.21%	4.35%	6.58%
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	1.66%	1.82%	1.49%	2.81%	2.05%	5.69%	5.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SVOAX and TOWFX in my portfolio?

SVOAX and TOWFX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SVOAX or TOWFX?

SVOAX has higher volatility (3.15%) compared to TOWFX (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVOAX dropped -47.22% vs TOWFX's -96.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TOWFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 0.99), 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.