LDSF vs. USTB
LDSF (First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF) and USTB (VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. LDSF is actively managed, while USTB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LDSF returned 2.38%/yr vs 3.50%/yr for USTB. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDSF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for USTB.
Performance
LDSF vs. USTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LDSF achieves a 0.74% return, which is significantly lower than USTB's 1.19% return.
LDSF
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- 0.26%
- YTD
- 0.74%
- 6M
- 1.04%
- 1Y
- 5.06%
- 3Y*
- 5.29%
- 5Y*
- 2.38%
- 10Y*
- —
USTB
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.32%
- YTD
- 1.19%
- 6M
- 1.58%
- 1Y
- 4.75%
- 3Y*
- 6.13%
- 5Y*
- 3.50%
- 10Y*
- —
LDSF vs. USTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF | 0.74% | 6.82% | 4.20% | 6.53% | -5.47% | -0.28% | 2.48% | 4.52% |
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF | 1.19% | 6.08% | 6.49% | 6.69% | -2.82% | 0.90% | 5.12% | 4.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between LDSF and USTB is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2019 | 0.46 |
The correlation between LDSF and USTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (all time) to 0.66 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
LDSF vs. USTB — Risk / Return Rank
LDSF
USTB
LDSF vs. USTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) and VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB). 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.
| LDSF | USTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.46 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.90 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.51 | 1.88 | -0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.92 | 5.65 | -2.73 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.40 | 25.66 | -13.26 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| LDSF | USTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.47 | 3.93 | -1.46 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.77 | 1.75 | -0.98 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.81 | 1.73 | -0.92 |
Drawdowns
LDSF vs. USTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LDSF drawdown since its inception was -8.56%, which is greater than USTB's maximum drawdown of -5.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDSF and USTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LDSF | USTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.56% | -5.32% | -3.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.74% | -0.84% | -0.90% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.74% | -1.02% | -0.72% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.83% | -4.96% | -2.87% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.27% | -0.04% | -0.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.46% | -0.66% | -0.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.41% | 0.19% | +0.22% |
Volatility
LDSF vs. USTB - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) has a higher volatility of 0.73% compared to VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) at 0.33%. This indicates that LDSF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LDSF | USTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.73% | 0.33% | +0.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.65% | 0.84% | +0.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.06% | 1.22% | +0.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.08% | 2.01% | +1.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.18% | 2.01% | +1.17% |
LDSF vs. USTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
LDSF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than USTB's 0.34% expense ratio.
Dividends
LDSF vs. USTB - Dividend Comparison
LDSF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, more than USTB's 4.58% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF | 4.63% | 4.52% | 4.53% | 4.08% | 2.61% | 1.97% | 2.65% | 3.06% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF | 4.58% | 4.62% | 5.05% | 4.49% | 2.54% | 1.84% | 2.59% | 2.69% | 2.32% | 0.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LDSF and USTB have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
LDSF has higher volatility (0.73%) compared to USTB (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDSF dropped -8.56% vs USTB's -5.32%.
On 5-year performance, USTB leads with 3.50% vs 2.38% for LDSF. On fees, USTB is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, USTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, USTB has performed better with a 3.50% return vs 2.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
USTB is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for LDSF.
LDSF has the higher dividend yield at 4.63%, compared with 4.58% for USTB.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Victory. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for LDSF and 0.34% for USTB.
USTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.93 vs 2.47), 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.
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