SAUFX vs. NUSFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SAUFX (SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund) and NUSFX (Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, SAUFX returned 1.27%/yr vs 2.35%/yr for NUSFX. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SAUFX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for NUSFX.

Performance

SAUFX vs. NUSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund (SAUFX) and Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund (NUSFX). 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 NUSFX's 1.24% return. Over the past 10 years, SAUFX has underperformed NUSFX with an annualized return of 1.27%, while NUSFX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.35% annualized 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%

NUSFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.53%
• 1Y: 4.27%
• 3Y*: 4.59%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: 2.35%

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

SAUFX vs. NUSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAUFX SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund	1.12%	4.85%	5.23%	4.04%	-5.11%	-1.38%	0.61%	2.27%	1.28%	0.24%
NUSFX Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund	1.24%	4.27%	5.22%	5.21%	-1.59%	-0.17%	2.34%	3.68%	1.51%	1.53%

Correlation

The correlation between SAUFX and NUSFX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2009	0.32

The correlation between SAUFX and NUSFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (1 year) to 0.38 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SAUFX vs. NUSFX — 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

NUSFX

NUSFX Risk / Return Rank: 98
NUSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
NUSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
NUSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
NUSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
NUSFX 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.

SAUFX vs. NUSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund (SAUFX) and Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund (NUSFX). 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	NUSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	3.14	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.99	10.56	-5.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	3.55	-1.85
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.02	11.18	-5.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.39	40.87	-17.48
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. NUSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAUFX Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is comparable to the NUSFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAUFX and NUSFX, 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	NUSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	3.14	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	2.09	-1.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	1.94	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	1.78	-0.92

Drawdowns

SAUFX vs. NUSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAUFX drawdown since its inception was -7.43%, which is greater than NUSFX's maximum drawdown of -3.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAUFX and NUSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAUFX	NUSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.43%	-3.88%	-3.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.84%	-0.39%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.86%	-0.87%	-0.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.34%	-3.35%	-3.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.43%	-3.88%	-3.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.75%	-0.24%	-0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.22%	0.11%	+0.11%

Volatility

SAUFX vs. NUSFX - Volatility Comparison

SA U.S. Fixed Income Fund (SAUFX) has a higher volatility of 0.56% compared to Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund (NUSFX) at 0.49%. This indicates that SAUFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUSFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAUFX	NUSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.56%	0.49%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.11%	0.96%	+0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69%	1.38%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.09%	1.32%	+0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.53%	1.22%	+0.31%

SAUFX vs. NUSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAUFX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSFX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAUFX vs. NUSFX - Dividend Comparison

SAUFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, which matches NUSFX's 4.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NUSFX Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund	4.18%	3.78%	4.09%	2.86%	0.97%	0.71%	1.52%	2.42%	2.09%	1.42%	1.07%	0.85%
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 NUSFX in my portfolio?

SAUFX and NUSFX have a correlation of 0.16, 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 NUSFX?

SAUFX has higher volatility (0.56%) compared to NUSFX (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAUFX dropped -7.43% vs NUSFX's -3.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUSFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.14 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.