CTCAX vs. NSTMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CTCAX (Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A) and NSTMX (Columbia Short Term Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - CTCAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Columbia, while NSTMX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, CTCAX returned 24.75%/yr vs 2.56%/yr for NSTMX. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. CTCAX charges 1.18%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for NSTMX.

Performance

CTCAX vs. NSTMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) and Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CTCAX achieves a 32.06% return, which is significantly higher than NSTMX's 1.21% return. Over the past 10 years, CTCAX has outperformed NSTMX with an annualized return of 24.75%, while NSTMX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.56% annualized return.

CTCAX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 17.00%
• YTD: 32.06%
• 6M: 31.15%
• 1Y: 61.81%
• 3Y*: 36.07%
• 5Y*: 20.96%
• 10Y*: 24.75%

NSTMX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.21%
• 6M: 1.61%
• 1Y: 4.88%
• 3Y*: 5.64%
• 5Y*: 2.84%
• 10Y*: 2.56%

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

CTCAX vs. NSTMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CTCAX Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A	32.06%	24.78%	31.39%	56.46%	-34.81%	22.73%	49.46%	43.91%	-1.48%	42.99%
NSTMX Columbia Short Term Bond Fund	1.21%	5.95%	5.45%	6.97%	-4.82%	0.73%	3.42%	5.20%	0.62%	1.04%

Correlation

The correlation between CTCAX and NSTMX is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2002	-0.06

The correlation between CTCAX and NSTMX shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.14 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CTCAX vs. NSTMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CTCAX

CTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 83
CTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
CTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
CTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
CTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

NSTMX

NSTMX Risk / Return Rank: 93
NSTMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
NSTMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
NSTMX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
NSTMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
NSTMX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

CTCAX vs. NSTMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) and Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX). 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.

	CTCAX	NSTMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.04	2.78	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	5.60	-1.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.77	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.43	5.38	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.56	23.58	-7.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CTCAX vs. NSTMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CTCAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.04, which is comparable to the NSTMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CTCAX and NSTMX, 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

	CTCAX	NSTMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.04	2.78	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	1.29	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00	1.20	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	1.70	-0.93

Drawdowns

CTCAX vs. NSTMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTCAX drawdown since its inception was -61.04%, which is greater than NSTMX's maximum drawdown of -9.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTCAX and NSTMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTCAX	NSTMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.04%	-9.50%	-51.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.43%	-0.91%	-13.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.67%	-0.91%	-25.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.55%	-7.06%	-32.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.55%	-9.50%	-30.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.10%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.68%	-0.53%	-10.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.86%	0.21%	+3.65%

Volatility

CTCAX vs. NSTMX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) has a higher volatility of 6.37% compared to Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) at 0.55%. This indicates that CTCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NSTMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CTCAX	NSTMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.37%	0.55%	+5.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.72%	1.22%	+15.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.06%	1.77%	+19.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.98%	2.21%	+23.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.84%	2.14%	+22.70%

CTCAX vs. NSTMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTCAX has a 1.18% expense ratio, which is higher than NSTMX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

CTCAX vs. NSTMX - Dividend Comparison

CTCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, less than NSTMX's 4.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CTCAX Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A	2.49%	3.29%	1.08%	2.36%	3.53%	4.15%	0.91%	2.55%	5.82%	3.52%	0.36%	1.80%
NSTMX Columbia Short Term Bond Fund	4.58%	4.73%	3.84%	3.71%	2.11%	1.53%	2.32%	3.45%	1.42%	1.44%	0.89%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CTCAX and NSTMX in my portfolio?

CTCAX and NSTMX have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CTCAX or NSTMX?

CTCAX has higher volatility (6.37%) compared to NSTMX (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTCAX dropped -61.04% vs NSTMX's -9.50%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CTCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.78), 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.