AVDE vs. SDSI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVDE (Avantis International Equity ETF) and SDSI (American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVDE is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI World ex-USA IMI Index, while SDSI is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVDE returned 20.15%/yr vs 5.77%/yr for SDSI. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AVDE charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for SDSI.

Performance

AVDE vs. SDSI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis International Equity ETF (AVDE) and American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVDE achieves a 10.55% return, which is significantly higher than SDSI's 1.22% return.

AVDE

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 3.07%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 13.51%
• 1Y: 27.80%
• 3Y*: 20.15%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: —

SDSI

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.22%
• 6M: 1.66%
• 1Y: 5.27%
• 3Y*: 5.77%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVDE vs. SDSI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF	10.55%	38.05%	4.88%	17.18%	15.31%
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	1.22%	6.54%	5.63%	5.88%	2.05%

Correlation

The correlation between AVDE and SDSI is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2022	0.34

The correlation between AVDE and SDSI shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (all time) to 0.49 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AVDE vs. SDSI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVDE	SDSI
Financial Services	23.8%	-
Industrials	20.3%	7.5%
Basic Materials	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	-
Energy	8.0%	-
Technology	7.1%	-
Healthcare	5.8%	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	-
Utilities	4.4%	-
Communication Services	3.8%	90.0%
Real Estate	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

AVDE vs. SDSI — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVDE

AVDE Risk / Return Rank: 54
AVDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
AVDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
AVDE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AVDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
AVDE Martin Ratio Rank: 55

SDSI

SDSI Risk / Return Rank: 91
SDSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SDSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SDSI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
SDSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
SDSI Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

AVDE vs. SDSI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis International Equity ETF (AVDE) and American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI). 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.

	AVDE	SDSI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	3.25	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	5.01	-2.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.66	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	4.53	-2.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	21.22	-11.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVDE vs. SDSI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is lower than the SDSI Sharpe Ratio of 3.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVDE and SDSI, 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

	AVDE	SDSI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	3.25	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	2.60	-1.95

Drawdowns

AVDE vs. SDSI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVDE drawdown since its inception was -36.99%, which is greater than SDSI's maximum drawdown of -1.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVDE and SDSI.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVDE	SDSI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.99%	-1.29%	-35.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-1.17%	-10.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.46%	-1.29%	-12.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.38%	-0.07%	-1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.17%	-0.24%	-5.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	0.25%	+2.65%

Volatility

AVDE vs. SDSI - Volatility Comparison

Avantis International Equity ETF (AVDE) has a higher volatility of 4.70% compared to American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) at 0.41%. This indicates that AVDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDSI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVDE	SDSI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.70%	0.41%	+4.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.11%	1.14%	+10.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	1.63%	+12.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.29%	2.28%	+14.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.90%	2.28%	+16.62%

AVDE vs. SDSI - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVDE has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is lower than SDSI's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVDE vs. SDSI - Dividend Comparison

AVDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, less than SDSI's 4.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF	2.52%	2.66%	3.29%	3.01%	2.79%	2.46%	1.63%	0.29%
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	4.42%	4.91%	5.49%	5.37%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVDE and SDSI in my portfolio?

AVDE and SDSI have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVDE or SDSI?

AVDE has higher volatility (4.70%) compared to SDSI (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVDE dropped -36.99% vs SDSI's -1.29%.

Which ETF is better, AVDE or SDSI?

On 3-year performance, AVDE leads with 20.15% vs 5.77% for SDSI. On fees, AVDE is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, SDSI has been the lower-risk option at 0.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVDE or SDSI?

Over the 3-year period, AVDE has performed better with a 20.15% return vs 5.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVDE or SDSI?

AVDE is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for SDSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVDE or SDSI?

SDSI has the higher dividend yield at 4.42%, compared with 2.52% for AVDE.

What is the main difference between AVDE and SDSI?

AVDE is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SDSI is Short-Term Bond. AVDE tracks MSCI World ex-USA IMI Index, while SDSI tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for AVDE and 0.33% for SDSI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 1.93), 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.