SBND vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SBND (Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SBND is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Beta Advantage Short Term Bond (-300%), while SPHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US High Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SBND returned 6.04%/yr vs 8.98%/yr for SPHY. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SBND charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

SBND vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SBND achieves a 0.91% return, which is significantly lower than SPHY's 1.63% return.

SBND

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 0.91%
• 6M: 1.54%
• 1Y: 5.45%
• 3Y*: 6.04%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPHY

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.63%
• 6M: 2.02%
• 1Y: 7.02%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: 4.41%
• 10Y*: 5.14%

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

SBND vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF	0.91%	7.50%	4.83%	7.20%	-7.24%	-0.68%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.63%	8.59%	8.54%	12.81%	-10.57%	0.60%

Correlation

The correlation between SBND and SPHY is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2021	0.64

The correlation between SBND and SPHY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

SBND vs. SPHY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SBND	SPHY
Financial Services	9.2%	99.9%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SBND vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SBND

SBND Risk / Return Rank: 73
SBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
SBND Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SBND Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

SBND vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

	SBND	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	1.92	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.48	2.92	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.38	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	2.92	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.43	13.27	+0.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SBND vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBND Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBND and SPHY, 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

	SBND	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24	1.92	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.64	+0.06

Drawdowns

SBND vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBND drawdown since its inception was -10.78%, smaller than the maximum SPHY drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBND and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBND	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-21.97%	+11.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-2.41%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.71%	-4.85%	+3.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.29%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.14%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.86%	-2.29%	-0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	0.53%	-0.12%

Volatility

SBND vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) is 0.58%, while SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) has a volatility of 1.14%. This indicates that SBND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SBND	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.58%	1.14%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.69%	2.91%	-1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47%	3.68%	-1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.61%	7.17%	-3.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.61%	7.89%	-4.28%

SBND vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBND has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHY's 0.05% 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. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

SBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, less than SPHY's 7.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF	4.53%	4.65%	4.58%	3.90%	2.80%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.26%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SBND and SPHY in my portfolio?

SBND and SPHY have a correlation of 0.64, 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 SPHY?

SPHY has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to SBND (0.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBND dropped -10.78% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which ETF is better, SBND or SPHY?

On 3-year performance, SPHY leads with 8.98% vs 6.04% for SBND. On fees, SPHY is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SBND has been the lower-risk option at 0.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SBND or SPHY?

Over the 3-year period, SPHY has performed better with a 8.98% return vs 6.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SBND or SPHY?

SPHY is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SBND.

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

SPHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.26%, compared with 4.53% for SBND.

What is the main difference between SBND and SPHY?

SBND is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while SPHY is High Yield Bonds. SBND tracks Bloomberg Beta Advantage Short Term Bond (-300%), while SPHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: Columbia and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SBND and 0.05% for SPHY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SBND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 1.92), 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.