SCSBX vs. BTIIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCSBX (DWS Total Return Bond Fund) and BTIIX (DWS Equity 500 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - SCSBX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by DWS, while BTIIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by DWS. Over the past 10 years, SCSBX returned 2.04%/yr vs 16.52%/yr for BTIIX. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. SCSBX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for BTIIX.

Performance

SCSBX vs. BTIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Total Return Bond Fund (SCSBX) and DWS Equity 500 Index Fund (BTIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCSBX achieves a -0.10% return, which is significantly lower than BTIIX's 11.63% return. Over the past 10 years, SCSBX has underperformed BTIIX with an annualized return of 2.04%, while BTIIX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.52% annualized return.

SCSBX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: -0.10%
• 6M: -0.31%
• 1Y: 5.38%
• 3Y*: 4.28%
• 5Y*: -0.10%
• 10Y*: 2.04%

BTIIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.78%
• YTD: 11.63%
• 6M: 11.63%
• 1Y: 28.72%
• 3Y*: 22.52%
• 5Y*: 14.04%
• 10Y*: 16.52%

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

SCSBX vs. BTIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCSBX DWS Total Return Bond Fund	-0.10%	6.53%	2.28%	6.34%	-15.13%	-0.10%	8.81%	11.02%	-2.72%	5.89%
BTIIX DWS Equity 500 Index Fund	11.63%	17.56%	24.83%	26.04%	-18.51%	28.71%	18.37%	45.09%	-4.99%	21.61%

Correlation

The correlation between SCSBX and BTIIX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 1996	-0.06

The correlation between SCSBX and BTIIX shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SCSBX vs. BTIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCSBX

SCSBX Risk / Return Rank: 21
SCSBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
SCSBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
SCSBX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
SCSBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
SCSBX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

BTIIX

BTIIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
BTIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
BTIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
BTIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
BTIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
BTIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

SCSBX vs. BTIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Total Return Bond Fund (SCSBX) and DWS Equity 500 Index Fund (BTIIX). 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.

	SCSBX	BTIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.51	-1.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	3.45	-1.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.46	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.62	3.33	-1.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.79	15.43	-10.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCSBX vs. BTIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCSBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the BTIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCSBX and BTIIX, 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

	SCSBX	BTIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.51	-1.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.02	0.63	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.78	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.52	+0.53

Drawdowns

SCSBX vs. BTIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCSBX drawdown since its inception was -21.02%, smaller than the maximum BTIIX drawdown of -55.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCSBX and BTIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCSBX	BTIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.02%	-55.24%	+34.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.36%	-8.93%	+5.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.27%	-21.16%	+14.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.53%	-24.60%	+5.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.53%	-33.83%	+14.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.10%	0.00%	-3.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.82%	-10.09%	+7.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.13%	1.92%	-0.79%

Volatility

SCSBX vs. BTIIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DWS Total Return Bond Fund (SCSBX) is 1.34%, while DWS Equity 500 Index Fund (BTIIX) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that SCSBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BTIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCSBX	BTIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.34%	2.83%	-1.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.78%	8.93%	-6.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.91%	11.85%	-7.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.78%	22.45%	-16.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.76%	21.21%	-16.45%

SCSBX vs. BTIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCSBX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than BTIIX's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCSBX vs. BTIIX - Dividend Comparison

SCSBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.77%, less than BTIIX's 11.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTIIX DWS Equity 500 Index Fund	11.80%	13.18%	20.02%	26.57%	14.49%	15.07%	20.31%	23.22%	22.74%	15.17%	11.11%	8.32%
SCSBX DWS Total Return Bond Fund	4.77%	4.36%	4.55%	3.91%	3.13%	2.47%	2.30%	3.53%	3.82%	3.19%	2.55%	3.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCSBX and BTIIX in my portfolio?

SCSBX and BTIIX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCSBX or BTIIX?

BTIIX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to SCSBX (1.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCSBX dropped -21.02% vs BTIIX's -55.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BTIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.39), 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.