BBSB vs. SPTS

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

BBSB (JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF) and SPTS (SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - BBSB tracks the ICE U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index while SPTS tracks the Bloomberg 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BBSB returned 4.16%/yr vs 4.22%/yr for SPTS. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BBSB charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTS.

Performance

BBSB vs. SPTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). 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 BBSB having a 0.56% return and SPTS slightly lower at 0.54%.

BBSB

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -0.01%
• 6M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.56%
• 1Y: 2.98%
• 3Y*: 4.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPTS

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.01%
• 6M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 1Y: 3.03%
• 3Y*: 4.22%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: 1.65%

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

BBSB vs. SPTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BBSB JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF	0.56%	5.12%	4.00%	2.56%
SPTS SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF	0.54%	5.05%	4.20%	2.79%

Correlation

The correlation between BBSB and SPTS is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2023	0.92

The correlation between BBSB and SPTS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BBSB vs. SPTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBSB

BBSB Risk / Return Rank: 89
BBSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BBSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BBSB Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BBSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BBSB Martin Ratio Rank: 86

SPTS

SPTS Risk / Return Rank: 88
SPTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
SPTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SPTS Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SPTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
SPTS Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

BBSB vs. SPTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). 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.

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.

	BBSB	SPTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.27	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.89	3.68	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.47	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	3.63	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.06	14.26	-0.20

BBSB vs. SPTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBSB Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the SPTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBSB and SPTS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BBSB vs. SPTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBSB drawdown since its inception was -1.57%, smaller than the maximum SPTS drawdown of -5.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBSB and SPTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBSB	SPTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.57%	-5.83%	+4.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.86%	-0.84%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.96%	-0.96%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.21%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.31%	-1.71%	+1.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.21%	0.21%	0.00%

Volatility

BBSB vs. SPTS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB) is 0.41%, while SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS) has a volatility of 0.50%. This indicates that BBSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBSB	SPTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.41%	0.50%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.92%	0.96%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28%	1.34%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.66%	2.00%	-0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.66%	1.70%	-0.04%

BBSB vs. SPTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBSB has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTS's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BBSB vs. SPTS - Dividend Comparison

BBSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, less than SPTS's 3.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBSB JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF	3.80%	3.69%	4.84%	3.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPTS SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF	3.89%	3.99%	4.25%	3.61%	1.27%	0.19%	0.70%	2.21%	2.04%	1.20%	0.95%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBSB and SPTS in my portfolio?

BBSB and SPTS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBSB or SPTS?

SPTS has higher volatility (0.50%) compared to BBSB (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBSB dropped -1.57% vs SPTS's -5.83%.

Which ETF is better, BBSB or SPTS?

On 3-year performance, SPTS leads with 4.22% vs 4.16% for BBSB. On fees, SPTS is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBSB or SPTS?

Over the 3-year period, SPTS has performed better with a 4.22% return vs 4.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBSB or SPTS?

SPTS is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for BBSB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBSB or SPTS?

SPTS has the higher dividend yield at 3.89%, compared with 3.80% for BBSB.

What is the main difference between BBSB and SPTS?

BBSB tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index, while SPTS tracks Bloomberg 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for BBSB and 0.03% for SPTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.27), 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.