- ISIN
- US52469E5006
- CUSIP
- 52469E500
- Issuer
- Franklin Templeton
- Inception Date
- Nov 11, 1991
- Category
- Short-Term Bond
- Min. Investment
- $1,000
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
Share Price Chart
Loading charts...
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Performance
SBSTX Performance Chart
Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund (SBSTX) is up 0.3% since the beginning of the year. SBSTX is currently trading at $4 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of SBSTX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,076.
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund (SBSTX) has returned 0.32% so far this year and 3.37% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, SBSTX has returned 1.92% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.88% annually.
Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- YTD
- 0.32%
- 6M
- 0.69%
- 1Y
- 3.37%
- 3Y*
- 4.08%
- 5Y*
- 1.48%
- 10Y*
- 1.92%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- YTD
- 9.16%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- 1Y
- 25.22%
- 3Y*
- 19.78%
- 5Y*
- 11.99%
- 10Y*
- 13.88%
SBSTX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Jan 2, 1992, SBSTX's average daily return is +0.01%, while the average monthly return is +0.24%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 24.1 years.
Historically, 69% of months were positive and 31% were negative. The best month was May 2009 with a return of +2.6%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -4.4%. The longest winning streak lasted 21 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 6 months.
On a daily basis, SBSTX closed higher 19% of trading days. The best single day was Jan 31, 1992 with a return of +14.1%, while the worst single day was Jan 30, 1992 at -12.4%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.34% | 0.27% | -0.46% | 0.35% | 0.09% | -0.27% | 0.32% | ||||||
| 2025 | 0.62% | 0.86% | 0.07% | 0.88% | -0.17% | 0.87% | -0.19% | 0.91% | 0.33% | 0.37% | 0.33% | 0.37% | 5.38% |
| 2024 | 0.58% | -0.54% | 0.27% | -0.52% | 0.63% | 0.28% | 1.15% | 0.87% | 0.85% | -0.75% | 0.62% | 0.09% | 3.56% |
| 2023 | 1.08% | -0.58% | 1.11% | 0.28% | -0.30% | -0.25% | 0.58% | -0.00% | -0.24% | -0.56% | 1.71% | 1.44% | 4.32% |
| 2022 | -0.93% | -0.94% | -1.45% | -0.94% | 0.13% | -1.08% | 0.55% | -0.62% | -1.45% | -0.33% | 1.37% | 0.25% | -5.34% |
| 2021 | -0.00% | -0.51% | -0.13% | 0.38% | 0.13% | -0.15% | 0.36% | -0.15% | -0.15% | -0.41% | -0.31% | 0.13% | -0.81% |
Benchmark Metrics
Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund has an annualized alpha of 2.98%, beta of -0.00, and R2 of 0.00 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since January 02, 1992.
- This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (10.08%) than losses (0.82%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of -0.00 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.00 this fund is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this fund's risk.
- R2 of 0.00 means this fund moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index - capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 2.98%
- Beta
- -0.00
- R²
- 0.00
- Upside Capture
- 10.08%
- Downside Capture
- 0.82%
Expense Ratio
SBSTX has an expense ratio of 0.71%, placing it in the medium range.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
SBSTX ranks 46 for risk / return — on par with similar mutual funds. You're getting a typical balance of risk and reward. Not a standout, but not a red flag either — a reasonable choice if other factors align with your goals.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund (SBSTX) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
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.
| SBSTX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.37 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.51 | 2.78 | -0.27 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.25 | 12.44 | -2.19 |
Dividends
Dividend History
Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund provided a 3.88% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.14 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 4 consecutive years.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.14 | $0.15 | $0.12 | $0.10 | $0.06 | $0.05 | $0.08 | $0.10 | $0.09 | $0.07 | $0.06 | $0.05 |
Dividend yield | 3.88% | 4.14% | 3.22% | 2.82% | 1.75% | 1.24% | 2.11% | 2.56% | 2.33% | 1.69% | 1.57% | 1.28% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.05 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.15 |
| 2024 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.12 |
| 2023 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.10 |
| 2022 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.06 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.05 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
Loading charts...
Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund was 16.30%, occurring on Nov 24, 2008. Recovery took 287 trading sessions.
The current Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund drawdown is 0.29%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -16.30%Nov 2008 | 9mo 22d | 1y 1mo | 1y 11moFeb 2008 - Jan 2010 |
1992 correction1992 | -13.66%Jan 1992 | 21d | 5mo 4d | 5mo 25dJan 1992 - Jul 1992 |
1996 pullback1996 | -8.41%May 1996 | 3mo 8d | 5mo 17d | 8mo 25dFeb 1996 - Nov 1996 |
Bear market2022 | -8.19%Oct 2022 | 1y 4mo | 1y 9mo | 3y 1moJun 2021 - Aug 2024 |
COVID crash2020 | -5.32%Mar 2020 | 15d | 2mo 16d | 3mo 1dMar 2020 - Jun 2020 |
Drawdown Indicators
| SBSTX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.30% | -56.78% | +40.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.34% | -9.10% | +7.76% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.34% | -18.90% | +17.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -8.15% | -25.43% | +17.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.19% | -33.92% | +25.73% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.29% | -1.80% | +1.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.18% | -10.71% | +9.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.33% | 2.03% | -1.70% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Build a portfolio with SBSTX
Add Western Asset Short-Term Bond Fund to a portfolio and analyze allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Analyzer with SBSTX