ASBAX vs. TNSHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ASBAX (American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America) and TNSHX (TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, ASBAX returned 1.61%/yr vs 1.83%/yr for TNSHX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ASBAX charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for TNSHX.

Performance

ASBAX vs. TNSHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) and TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASBAX achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly lower than TNSHX's 0.61% return. Over the past 10 years, ASBAX has underperformed TNSHX with an annualized return of 1.61%, while TNSHX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.83% annualized return.

ASBAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 3.16%
• 3Y*: 4.04%
• 5Y*: 1.60%
• 10Y*: 1.61%

TNSHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 6M: 0.96%
• 1Y: 3.74%
• 3Y*: 4.25%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 1.83%

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

ASBAX vs. TNSHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America	0.35%	5.05%	4.31%	3.60%	-4.16%	-0.88%	3.53%	2.81%	1.10%	0.91%
TNSHX TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund	0.61%	5.31%	4.03%	4.05%	-3.96%	-0.57%	3.26%	4.05%	1.31%	0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between ASBAX and TNSHX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.75

The correlation between ASBAX and TNSHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ASBAX vs. TNSHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASBAX

ASBAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
ASBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
ASBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
ASBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
ASBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ASBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

TNSHX

TNSHX Risk / Return Rank: 68
TNSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
TNSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
TNSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
TNSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
TNSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

ASBAX vs. TNSHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) and TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX). 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.

	ASBAX	TNSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.01	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	3.86	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.51	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	3.32	-0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.40	12.42	-3.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ASBAX vs. TNSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASBAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the TNSHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASBAX and TNSHX, 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

	ASBAX	TNSHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.01	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.82	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	1.01	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	1.04	-0.08

Drawdowns

ASBAX vs. TNSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASBAX drawdown since its inception was -6.29%, which is greater than TNSHX's maximum drawdown of -5.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASBAX and TNSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASBAX	TNSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-5.99%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.24%	-1.13%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.24%	-1.13%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.23%	-5.99%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.29%	-5.99%	-0.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-0.15%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.68%	-0.89%	+0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	0.30%	+0.04%

Volatility

ASBAX vs. TNSHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) is 0.57%, while TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund (TNSHX) has a volatility of 0.63%. This indicates that ASBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TNSHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASBAX	TNSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.57%	0.63%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.36%	1.38%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84%	1.88%	-0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.23%	2.25%	-0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.83%	1.82%	+0.01%

ASBAX vs. TNSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASBAX has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than TNSHX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASBAX vs. TNSHX - Dividend Comparison

ASBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.76%, less than TNSHX's 4.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America	3.76%	3.87%	3.99%	2.88%	1.02%	0.42%	2.08%	1.66%	1.70%	1.21%	0.83%	1.21%
TNSHX TIAA-CREF Short-Term Bond Index Fund	4.10%	4.22%	3.94%	2.68%	1.00%	1.03%	1.81%	2.45%	1.80%	1.31%	0.98%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASBAX and TNSHX in my portfolio?

ASBAX and TNSHX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ASBAX or TNSHX?

TNSHX has higher volatility (0.63%) compared to ASBAX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASBAX dropped -6.29% vs TNSHX's -5.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TNSHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.74), 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.