SBND vs. DFSD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SBND (Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF) and DFSD (Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. SBND is passively managed, while DFSD is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SBND returned 5.86%/yr vs 5.18%/yr for DFSD. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SBND charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DFSD.

Performance

SBND vs. DFSD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) and Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF (DFSD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SBND achieves a 0.86% return, which is significantly higher than DFSD's 0.79% return.

SBND

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 0.46%
• YTD: 0.86%
• 1Y: 3.56%
• 3Y*: 5.86%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.40%

DFSD

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: 0.35%
• YTD: 0.79%
• 1Y: 2.80%
• 3Y*: 5.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.47%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFSD Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF	$24.91M	$26.60M	$25.77M
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF	$2.32M	$2.73M	$1.61M

SBND vs. DFSD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF	0.86%	7.50%	4.83%	7.20%	-7.24%	0.16%
DFSD Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF	0.79%	6.59%	4.60%	6.09%	-5.87%	-0.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SBND and DFSD is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2021	0.72

The correlation between SBND and DFSD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SBND vs. DFSD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SBND

SBND Risk / Return Rank: 70
SBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
SBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SBND Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SBND Martin Ratio Rank: 73

DFSD

DFSD Risk / Return Rank: 73
DFSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DFSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DFSD Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DFSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
DFSD Martin Ratio Rank: 69

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SBND vs. DFSD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) and Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF (DFSD). 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.

	SBND	DFSD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	1.71	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	2.57	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	2.27	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.00	8.33	+0.67

SBND vs. DFSD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBND Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is comparable to the DFSD Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBND and DFSD, 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

SBND vs. DFSD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBND drawdown since its inception was -10.78%, which is greater than DFSD's maximum drawdown of -8.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBND and DFSD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBND	DFSD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-8.45%	-2.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-1.47%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.71%	-1.47%	-0.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-0.35%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.78%	-2.01%	-0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	0.40%	+0.01%

Volatility

SBND vs. DFSD - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) has a higher volatility of 0.56% compared to Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF (DFSD) at 0.52%. This indicates that SBND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFSD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SBND	DFSD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.56%	0.52%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.75%	1.59%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40%	1.94%	+0.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.57%	2.75%	+0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.57%	2.75%	+0.82%

SBND vs. DFSD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBND has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSD's 0.16% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SBND vs. DFSD - Dividend Comparison

SBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, less than DFSD's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFSD Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF	4.59%	4.12%	4.81%	3.89%	2.12%	0.11%
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF	4.10%	4.65%	4.58%	3.90%	2.80%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SBND and DFSD in my portfolio?

SBND and DFSD have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SBND or DFSD?

SBND has higher volatility (0.56%) compared to DFSD (0.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBND dropped -10.78% vs DFSD's -8.45%.

Which ETF is better, SBND or DFSD?

On 3-year performance, SBND leads with 5.86% vs 5.18% for DFSD. On fees, DFSD is cheaper at 0.16% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SBND or DFSD?

Over the 3-year period, SBND has performed better with a 5.86% return vs 5.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SBND or DFSD?

DFSD is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SBND or DFSD?

DFSD has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 4.10% for SBND.

What is the main difference between SBND and DFSD?

They also come from different issuers: Columbia and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SBND and 0.16% for DFSD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.56), 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.