ATOIX vs. DFABX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ATOIX (abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Fund) and DFABX (DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 3 years, ATOIX returned 3.08%/yr vs 2.82%/yr for DFABX. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ATOIX charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DFABX.

Performance

ATOIX vs. DFABX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Fund (ATOIX) and DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ATOIX having a 1.01% return and DFABX slightly lower at 0.98%.

ATOIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.01%
• 6M: 1.54%
• 1Y: 3.02%
• 3Y*: 3.08%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 1.79%

DFABX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.98%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 2.66%
• 3Y*: 2.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ATOIX vs. DFABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ATOIX abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Fund	1.01%	3.33%	3.14%	3.27%	1.15%
DFABX DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	0.98%	2.46%	2.90%	2.87%	0.55%

Correlation

The correlation between ATOIX and DFABX is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 18, 2022	0.02

Return for Risk

ATOIX vs. DFABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ATOIX

ATOIX Risk / Return Rank: 99
ATOIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
ATOIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
ATOIX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
ATOIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
ATOIX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

DFABX

DFABX Risk / Return Rank: 100
DFABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
DFABX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
DFABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
DFABX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

ATOIX vs. DFABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Fund (ATOIX) and DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX). 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.

	ATOIX	DFABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.50	4.77	-1.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	17.32	12.57	+4.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	10.98	6.47	+4.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	30.48	24.96	+5.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	89.66	107.63	-17.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ATOIX vs. DFABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ATOIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.50, which is comparable to the DFABX Sharpe Ratio of 4.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ATOIX and DFABX, 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

	ATOIX	DFABX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.50	4.77	-1.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.80	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	2.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.47	2.48	-0.01

Drawdowns

ATOIX vs. DFABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ATOIX drawdown since its inception was -1.46%, smaller than the maximum DFABX drawdown of -2.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ATOIX and DFABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ATOIX	DFABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.46%	-2.46%	+1.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.10%	-0.11%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.10%	-0.60%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-0.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-0.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.06%	-0.24%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	0.02%	+0.01%

Volatility

ATOIX vs. DFABX - Volatility Comparison

abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Fund (ATOIX) and DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX) have volatilities of 0.20% and 0.20%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ATOIX	DFABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.20%	0.20%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.61%	0.42%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87%	0.56%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.83%	0.96%	-0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.79%	0.96%	-0.17%

ATOIX vs. DFABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ATOIX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than DFABX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ATOIX vs. DFABX - Dividend Comparison

ATOIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, more than DFABX's 2.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ATOIX abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Fund	2.98%	3.27%	3.09%	3.02%	1.07%	0.06%	0.88%	1.39%	1.42%	2.20%	0.61%	0.52%
DFABX DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.63%	2.33%	2.86%	2.52%	1.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ATOIX and DFABX in my portfolio?

ATOIX and DFABX have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ATOIX or DFABX?

DFABX has higher volatility (0.20%) compared to ATOIX (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ATOIX dropped -1.46% vs DFABX's -2.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFABX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.77 vs 3.50), 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.