ARDC vs SEIX
Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund Inc. vs Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF
Which is better, ARDC or SEIX?
SEIX has been ahead.
SEIX has a lower expense ratio. SEIX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ARDC | SEIX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.69% | 0.57%Best |
| AUM | $312M | $296M |
| Dividend Yield | 10.33% | 7.02% |
| Holdings | 329 | 226 |
| YTD Return | -8.16% | +4.04%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.95% | +5.66%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.41% | +6.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.23% | +5.78%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 4.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.4% | -18.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,166 | $13,244Best |
| Fund Family | Ares Public Funds | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Bank Loan | Bank Loan |
| Inception | Nov 27, 2012 | Apr 23, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 25, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7.5 years).
ARDC vs SEIX growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7.5 years both funds cover.
ARDC vs SEIX Performance
Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund Inc. (ARDC) is an ETF from Ares Public Funds and Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past year ARDC returned -7.95% while SEIX returned +5.66%. Year to date, ARDC is down 8.16% versus a gain of 4.04% for SEIX.
Over three years, ARDC compounded at +6.41% per year against +6.86% for SEIX; over five years the annualized figures are +2.23% and +5.78% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, SEIX has the edge at +4.18% annualized vs +3.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARDC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 4.9% for SEIX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -45.4% for ARDC and -18.2% for SEIX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARDC charges 3.69% per year while SEIX charges 0.57%. On a $10,000 position that is $369 vs $57 annually, a gap of $312 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARDC currently yields 10.33% against 7.02% for SEIX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 94 holdings in ARDC and 9 in SEIX, totalling 66.1% and 2.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 93 days apart, ARDC as of Jun 30, 2026 and SEIX as of Oct 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in ARDC and 9 in SEIX, against full books of 329 and 226.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARDC and SEIX you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ARDC or SEIX?
ARDC has an expense ratio of 3.69% while SEIX charges 0.57%. SEIX is the cheaper option, by $312 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARDC or SEIX?
Over the past year ARDC returned -7.95% vs +5.66% for SEIX, so SEIX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), ARDC annualized +3.49% vs +4.18% for SEIX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARDC or SEIX?
ARDC has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 4.9% for SEIX. Worst drawdown: ARDC -45.4% vs SEIX -18.2%.
Should I hold both ARDC and SEIX?
ARDC and SEIX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARDC or SEIX?
ARDC yields 10.33% while SEIX yields 7.02%, so ARDC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SEIX better than ARDC?
SEIX has a lower expense ratio. SEIX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.