IMST vs. SCUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IMST (Bitwise Funds Trust) and SCUS (Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IMST is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Bitwise, while SCUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Charles Schwab. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, IMST returned -62.31% vs 4.17% for SCUS. At a correlation of -0.10, they often move in opposite directions. IMST charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for SCUS.

Performance

IMST vs. SCUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bitwise Funds Trust (IMST) and Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IMST achieves a -14.98% return, which is significantly lower than SCUS's 1.43% return.

IMST

• 1D: -5.79%
• 1M: -25.22%
• YTD: -14.98%
• 6M: -28.07%
• 1Y: -62.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCUS

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 1.78%
• 1Y: 4.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IMST vs. SCUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IMST Bitwise Funds Trust	-14.98%	-44.26%
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	1.43%	3.42%

Correlation

The correlation between IMST and SCUS is -0.10, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025	-0.10

Return for Risk

IMST vs. SCUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IMST

IMST Risk / Return Rank: 1
IMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
IMST Omega Ratio Rank: 1
IMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
IMST Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SCUS

SCUS Risk / Return Rank: 99
SCUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SCUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Omega Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

IMST vs. SCUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bitwise Funds Trust (IMST) and Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS). 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.

	IMST	SCUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.10	6.28	-7.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.93	12.57	-14.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	2.76	-1.97
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.89	25.13	-26.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.35	111.55	-112.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IMST vs. SCUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IMST Sharpe Ratio is -1.10, which is lower than the SCUS Sharpe Ratio of 6.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IMST and SCUS, 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

	IMST	SCUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.10	6.28	-7.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.80	6.42	-7.22

Drawdowns

IMST vs. SCUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IMST drawdown since its inception was -69.86%, which is greater than SCUS's maximum drawdown of -0.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMST and SCUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IMST	SCUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.86%	-0.17%	-69.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-69.86%	-0.17%	-69.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-66.74%	-0.02%	-66.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.27%	-0.02%	-35.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	46.22%	0.04%	+46.18%

Volatility

IMST vs. SCUS - Volatility Comparison

Bitwise Funds Trust (IMST) has a higher volatility of 14.83% compared to Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS) at 0.20%. This indicates that IMST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IMST	SCUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.83%	0.20%	+14.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	44.06%	0.47%	+43.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	56.91%	0.67%	+56.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	59.73%	0.70%	+59.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	59.73%	0.70%	+59.03%

IMST vs. SCUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IMST has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than SCUS's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

IMST vs. SCUS - Dividend Comparison

IMST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 221.80%, more than SCUS's 3.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IMST Bitwise Funds Trust	221.80%	195.93%	0.00%
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	3.91%	4.17%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IMST and SCUS in my portfolio?

IMST and SCUS have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IMST or SCUS?

IMST has higher volatility (14.83%) compared to SCUS (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMST dropped -69.86% vs SCUS's -0.17%.

Which ETF is better, IMST or SCUS?

On 1-year performance, SCUS leads with 4.17% vs -62.31% for IMST. On fees, SCUS is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, SCUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IMST or SCUS?

Over the 1-year period, SCUS has performed better with a 4.17% return vs -62.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IMST or SCUS?

SCUS is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for IMST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IMST or SCUS?

IMST has the higher dividend yield at 221.80%, compared with 3.91% for SCUS.

What is the main difference between IMST and SCUS?

IMST is categorized as Derivative Income, while SCUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Bitwise and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for IMST and 0.14% for SCUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.28 vs -1.10), 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.