BOXX vs. SPTU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BOXX (Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF) and SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds - BOXX tracks the Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index while SPTU tracks the ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BOXX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPTU.

Performance

BOXX vs. SPTU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BOXX achieves a 1.72% return, which is significantly higher than SPTU's 1.63% return.

BOXX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 1.72%
• 6M: 1.87%
• 1Y: 4.02%
• 3Y*: 4.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPTU

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.63%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BOXX vs. SPTU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	1.72%	1.04%
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	1.63%	0.87%

Correlation

The correlation between BOXX and SPTU is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2025	0.19

Return for Risk

BOXX vs. SPTU — Risk / Return Rank

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

BOXX

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

SPTU

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

BOXX vs. SPTU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU). 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.

	BOXX	SPTU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	12.63	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	35.92	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	9.07	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	58.74	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	507.08	—	—

Drawdowns

BOXX vs. SPTU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BOXX drawdown since its inception was -0.12%, which is greater than SPTU's maximum drawdown of -0.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BOXX and SPTU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BOXX	SPTU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.12%	-0.04%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.01%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.00%	-0.00%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.01%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BOXX	SPTU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.12%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.26%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	0.33%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.37%	0.33%	+0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.37%	0.33%	+0.04%

BOXX vs. SPTU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BOXX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTU's 0.05% 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

BOXX vs. SPTU - Dividend Comparison

BOXX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.36%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	2.36%	0.89%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BOXX and SPTU in my portfolio?

BOXX and SPTU have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BOXX or SPTU?

On fees, SPTU is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BOXX or SPTU?

SPTU is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for BOXX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BOXX or SPTU?

SPTU has the higher dividend yield at 2.36%, compared with 0.00% for BOXX.

What is the main difference between BOXX and SPTU?

BOXX tracks Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index, while SPTU tracks ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for BOXX and 0.05% for SPTU.