SAUFX vs. CUTAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SAUFX (SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund) and CUTAX (Six Circles Tax Aware Ultra Short Duration Fund) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, SAUFX returned 1.69%/yr vs 2.35%/yr for CUTAX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SAUFX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for CUTAX.

Performance

SAUFX vs. CUTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund (SAUFX) and Six Circles Tax Aware Ultra Short Duration Fund (CUTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAUFX achieves a 1.12% return, which is significantly lower than CUTAX's 1.44% return.

SAUFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.12%
• 6M: 1.26%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 4.47%
• 5Y*: 1.69%
• 10Y*: 1.27%

CUTAX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 3.64%
• 3Y*: 3.88%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

SAUFX vs. CUTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SAUFX SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund	1.12%	4.85%	5.23%	4.04%	-5.11%	-1.38%	0.61%	2.27%	1.02%
CUTAX Six Circles Tax Aware Ultra Short Duration Fund	1.44%	3.69%	3.74%	3.86%	-0.79%	0.02%	1.79%	0.49%	-0.20%

Correlation

The correlation between SAUFX and CUTAX is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2018	0.22

Return for Risk

SAUFX vs. CUTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAUFX

SAUFX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SAUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SAUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SAUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SAUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SAUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

CUTAX

CUTAX Risk / Return Rank: 98
CUTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
CUTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
CUTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
CUTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
CUTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

SAUFX vs. CUTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund (SAUFX) and Six Circles Tax Aware Ultra Short Duration Fund (CUTAX). 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.

	SAUFX	CUTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	3.77	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.99	7.41	-2.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	3.01	-1.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.02	6.07	-0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.39	38.49	-15.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAUFX vs. CUTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAUFX Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is comparable to the CUTAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAUFX and CUTAX, 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

	SAUFX	CUTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	3.77	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	2.23	-1.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	1.87	-1.00

Drawdowns

SAUFX vs. CUTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAUFX drawdown since its inception was -7.43%, which is greater than CUTAX's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAUFX and CUTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAUFX	CUTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.43%	-1.79%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.84%	-0.61%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.86%	-1.01%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.34%	-1.73%	-5.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.75%	-0.21%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.22%	0.10%	+0.12%

Volatility

SAUFX vs. CUTAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund (SAUFX) is 0.56%, while Six Circles Tax Aware Ultra Short Duration Fund (CUTAX) has a volatility of 0.66%. This indicates that SAUFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CUTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAUFX	CUTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.56%	0.66%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.11%	0.83%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69%	0.98%	+0.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.09%	1.06%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.53%	0.95%	+0.58%

SAUFX vs. CUTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAUFX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than CUTAX's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAUFX vs. CUTAX - Dividend Comparison

SAUFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, more than CUTAX's 3.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CUTAX Six Circles Tax Aware Ultra Short Duration Fund	3.07%	3.22%	3.47%	2.86%	1.14%	0.52%	1.38%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SAUFX SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund	4.17%	3.38%	4.91%	2.58%	1.26%	0.00%	0.41%	1.86%	1.47%	0.74%	0.43%	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAUFX and CUTAX in my portfolio?

SAUFX and CUTAX have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAUFX or CUTAX?

CUTAX has higher volatility (0.66%) compared to SAUFX (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAUFX dropped -7.43% vs CUTAX's -1.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CUTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.77 vs 3.01), 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.