PIASX vs. UGSDX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PIASX (PIA Short Term Securities Fund) and UGSDX (U.S. Global Investors U.S. Government Ultra-Short Bond Fund) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PIASX returned 2.29%/yr vs 1.57%/yr for UGSDX. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PIASX charges 0.39%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for UGSDX.

Performance

PIASX vs. UGSDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIA Short Term Securities Fund (PIASX) and U.S. Global Investors U.S. Government Ultra-Short Bond Fund (UGSDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PIASX achieves a 0.82% return, which is significantly lower than UGSDX's 1.32% return. Over the past 10 years, PIASX has outperformed UGSDX with an annualized return of 2.29%, while UGSDX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.57% annualized return.

PIASX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 3.55%
• 3Y*: 4.95%
• 5Y*: 3.06%
• 10Y*: 2.29%

UGSDX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.32%
• 6M: 1.63%
• 1Y: 3.51%
• 3Y*: 3.95%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 1.57%

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

PIASX vs. UGSDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIASX PIA Short Term Securities Fund	0.82%	5.09%	5.22%	5.62%	-1.09%	-0.02%	1.85%	3.16%	1.20%	0.95%
UGSDX U.S. Global Investors U.S. Government Ultra-Short Bond Fund	1.32%	3.93%	4.31%	4.15%	-1.66%	-0.44%	0.32%	1.49%	1.18%	1.49%

Correlation

The correlation between PIASX and UGSDX is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 6, 2014	0.14

Return for Risk

PIASX vs. UGSDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIASX

PIASX Risk / Return Rank: 97
PIASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PIASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PIASX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
PIASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
PIASX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

UGSDX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

PIASX vs. UGSDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIA Short Term Securities Fund (PIASX) and U.S. Global Investors U.S. Government Ultra-Short Bond Fund (UGSDX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PIASX	UGSDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.65	3.60	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.27	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.29	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.27	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.44	—	—

PIASX vs. UGSDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIASX Sharpe Ratio is 3.65, which is comparable to the UGSDX Sharpe Ratio of 3.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIASX and UGSDX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PIASX vs. UGSDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIASX drawdown since its inception was -3.28%, which is greater than UGSDX's maximum drawdown of -2.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIASX and UGSDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIASX	UGSDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-2.83%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.70%	0.00%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.70%	-0.51%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.61%	-2.83%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-2.61%	-2.83%	+0.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.25%	-0.29%	+0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.16%	0.00%	+0.16%

Volatility

PIASX vs. UGSDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIA Short Term Securities Fund (PIASX) is 0.20%, while U.S. Global Investors U.S. Government Ultra-Short Bond Fund (UGSDX) has a volatility of 0.25%. This indicates that PIASX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGSDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIASX	UGSDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.20%	0.25%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.76%	0.65%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00%	0.98%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.11%	1.79%	-0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.96%	1.52%	-0.56%

PIASX vs. UGSDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIASX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than UGSDX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIASX vs. UGSDX - Dividend Comparison

PIASX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, more than UGSDX's 3.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIASX PIA Short Term Securities Fund	4.00%	4.57%	4.69%	3.61%	1.32%	0.78%	1.34%	2.01%	1.59%	1.15%	1.05%	0.81%
UGSDX U.S. Global Investors U.S. Government Ultra-Short Bond Fund	3.45%	3.85%	4.23%	3.55%	0.87%	0.06%	0.32%	1.48%	1.17%	1.48%	0.44%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIASX and UGSDX in my portfolio?

PIASX and UGSDX have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIASX or UGSDX?

UGSDX has higher volatility (0.25%) compared to PIASX (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIASX dropped -3.28% vs UGSDX's -2.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIASX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 3.60), 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.