NSTMX vs. DFAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NSTMX (Columbia Short Term Bond Fund) and DFAIX (DFA Short-Duration Real Return Portfolio) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, NSTMX returned 2.56%/yr vs 3.33%/yr for DFAIX. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NSTMX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for DFAIX.

Performance

NSTMX vs. DFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) and DFA Short-Duration Real Return Portfolio (DFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSTMX achieves a 1.21% return, which is significantly lower than DFAIX's 2.57% return. Over the past 10 years, NSTMX has underperformed DFAIX with an annualized return of 2.56%, while DFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.33% annualized return.

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%

DFAIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 2.57%
• 6M: 2.56%
• 1Y: 4.85%
• 3Y*: 5.79%
• 5Y*: 3.84%
• 10Y*: 3.33%

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

NSTMX vs. DFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
DFAIX DFA Short-Duration Real Return Portfolio	2.57%	4.86%	6.38%	5.64%	-2.77%	5.40%	2.75%	5.63%	0.11%	1.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NSTMX and DFAIX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.34

The correlation between NSTMX and DFAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (1 year) to 0.36 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NSTMX vs. DFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

DFAIX

DFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 99
DFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
DFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DFAIX 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.

NSTMX vs. DFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) and DFA Short-Duration Real Return Portfolio (DFAIX). 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.

	NSTMX	DFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.78	4.44	-1.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.60	7.79	-2.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.77	2.45	-0.68
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.38	10.39	-5.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.58	48.50	-24.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSTMX vs. DFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSTMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.78, which is lower than the DFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 4.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSTMX and DFAIX, 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

	NSTMX	DFAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.78	4.44	-1.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.29	1.22	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.20	1.31	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.70	1.13	+0.57

Drawdowns

NSTMX vs. DFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSTMX drawdown since its inception was -9.50%, which is greater than DFAIX's maximum drawdown of -5.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSTMX and DFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSTMX	DFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.50%	-5.63%	-3.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.91%	-0.47%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.91%	-3.12%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.06%	-5.46%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.50%	-5.63%	-3.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.53%	-0.94%	+0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.21%	0.10%	+0.11%

Volatility

NSTMX vs. DFAIX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) has a higher volatility of 0.55% compared to DFA Short-Duration Real Return Portfolio (DFAIX) at 0.47%. This indicates that NSTMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSTMX	DFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.55%	0.47%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.22%	0.93%	+0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77%	1.10%	+0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.21%	3.18%	-0.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.14%	2.55%	-0.41%

NSTMX vs. DFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSTMX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAIX's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSTMX vs. DFAIX - Dividend Comparison

NSTMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, which matches DFAIX's 4.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAIX DFA Short-Duration Real Return Portfolio	4.54%	4.65%	4.14%	3.66%	1.68%	0.98%	0.82%	2.53%	2.72%	1.71%	1.41%	1.29%
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 NSTMX and DFAIX in my portfolio?

NSTMX and DFAIX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSTMX or DFAIX?

NSTMX has higher volatility (0.55%) compared to DFAIX (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSTMX dropped -9.50% vs DFAIX's -5.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.44 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.