FPAS vs. SPTB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPAS (FPA Short Duration Government ETF) and SPTB (State Street SPDR Portfolio Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. FPAS is actively managed, while SPTB is passively managed. Over the past year, FPAS returned 3.02% vs 3.87% for SPTB. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FPAS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTB.

Performance

FPAS vs. SPTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FPA Short Duration Government ETF (FPAS) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Treasury ETF (SPTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPAS achieves a -0.75% return, which is significantly lower than SPTB's -0.07% return.

FPAS

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: -0.75%
• 6M: -0.62%
• 1Y: 3.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPTB

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: -0.07%
• 6M: -0.37%
• 1Y: 3.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FPAS vs. SPTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FPAS FPA Short Duration Government ETF	-0.75%	7.15%	-0.03%
SPTB State Street SPDR Portfolio Treasury ETF	-0.07%	6.14%	-0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between FPAS and SPTB is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2024	0.86

The correlation between FPAS and SPTB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FPAS vs. SPTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPAS

FPAS Risk / Return Rank: 26
FPAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
FPAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FPAS Omega Ratio Rank: 25
FPAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
FPAS Martin Ratio Rank: 27

SPTB

SPTB Risk / Return Rank: 29
SPTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
SPTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
SPTB Omega Ratio Rank: 28
SPTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
SPTB Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

FPAS vs. SPTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FPA Short Duration Government ETF (FPAS) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Treasury ETF (SPTB). 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.

	FPAS	SPTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	1.07	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	1.62	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.19	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.23	1.34	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.71	3.98	-0.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPAS vs. SPTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPAS Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is comparable to the SPTB Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPAS and SPTB, 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

	FPAS	SPTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93	1.07	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	0.92	+0.06

Drawdowns

FPAS vs. SPTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPAS drawdown since its inception was -2.47%, smaller than the maximum SPTB drawdown of -4.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPAS and SPTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPAS	SPTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-4.96%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.47%	-2.90%	+0.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.85%	-1.94%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.67%	-1.32%	+0.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.82%	0.98%	-0.16%

Volatility

FPAS vs. SPTB - Volatility Comparison

FPA Short Duration Government ETF (FPAS) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Treasury ETF (SPTB) have volatilities of 1.10% and 1.11%, 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

	FPAS	SPTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.10%	1.11%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.24%	2.47%	-0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25%	3.64%	-0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.09%	4.42%	-0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.09%	4.42%	-0.33%

FPAS vs. SPTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPAS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTB'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

FPAS vs. SPTB - Dividend Comparison

FPAS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.78%, more than SPTB's 4.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FPAS FPA Short Duration Government ETF	4.78%	4.75%	0.68%
SPTB State Street SPDR Portfolio Treasury ETF	4.20%	4.23%	2.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPAS and SPTB in my portfolio?

FPAS and SPTB have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPAS or SPTB?

SPTB has higher volatility (1.11%) compared to FPAS (1.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPAS dropped -2.47% vs SPTB's -4.96%.

Which ETF is better, FPAS or SPTB?

On 1-year performance, SPTB leads with 3.87% vs 3.02% for FPAS. On fees, SPTB 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, FPAS or SPTB?

Over the 1-year period, SPTB has performed better with a 3.87% return vs 3.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPAS or SPTB?

SPTB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for FPAS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FPAS or SPTB?

FPAS has the higher dividend yield at 4.78%, compared with 4.20% for SPTB.

What is the main difference between FPAS and SPTB?

They also come from different issuers: FPA and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FPAS and 0.03% for SPTB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.93), 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.