SDFI vs. SCHO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SDFI (AB Short Duration Income ETF) and SCHO (Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDFI is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Actively Managed, while SCHO is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SDFI returned 3.91% vs 3.01% for SCHO. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDFI charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHO.

Performance

SDFI vs. SCHO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Short Duration Income ETF (SDFI) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDFI achieves a 0.89% return, which is significantly higher than SCHO's 0.42% return.

SDFI

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.89%
• 6M: 1.13%
• 1Y: 3.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.62%
• 1Y: 3.01%
• 3Y*: 4.20%
• 5Y*: 1.84%
• 10Y*: 1.68%

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

SDFI vs. SCHO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SDFI AB Short Duration Income ETF	0.89%	6.39%	3.73%
SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	0.42%	5.49%	2.99%

Correlation

The correlation between SDFI and SCHO is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2024	0.80

The correlation between SDFI and SCHO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SDFI vs. SCHO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDFI

SDFI Risk / Return Rank: 71
SDFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SDFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SDFI Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SDFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SDFI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

SCHO

SCHO Risk / Return Rank: 76
SCHO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCHO Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SCHO Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SCHO Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SCHO Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

SDFI vs. SCHO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Short Duration Income ETF (SDFI) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). 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.

	SDFI	SCHO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	2.16	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	3.42	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.43	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	3.51	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.25	14.59	-1.34

SDFI vs. SCHO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDFI Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is comparable to the SCHO Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDFI and SCHO, 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

SDFI vs. SCHO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDFI drawdown since its inception was -1.21%, smaller than the maximum SCHO drawdown of -5.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDFI and SCHO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDFI	SCHO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.21%	-5.69%	+4.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.20%	-0.86%	-0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.98%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.69%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.27%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-0.61%	+0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.21%	+0.09%

Volatility

SDFI vs. SCHO - Volatility Comparison

AB Short Duration Income ETF (SDFI) has a higher volatility of 0.61% compared to Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO) at 0.49%. This indicates that SDFI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDFI	SCHO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	0.49%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.39%	0.98%	+0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05%	1.40%	+0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.48%	1.99%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.48%	1.56%	+0.92%

SDFI vs. SCHO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDFI has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDFI vs. SCHO - Dividend Comparison

SDFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than SCHO's 3.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	3.91%	4.06%	4.29%	3.76%	1.34%	0.41%	1.27%	2.27%	1.60%	1.12%	0.82%	0.68%
SDFI AB Short Duration Income ETF	4.61%	4.66%	3.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDFI and SCHO in my portfolio?

SDFI and SCHO have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDFI or SCHO?

SDFI has higher volatility (0.61%) compared to SCHO (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDFI dropped -1.21% vs SCHO's -5.69%.

Which ETF is better, SDFI or SCHO?

On 1-year performance, SDFI leads with 3.91% vs 3.01% for SCHO. On fees, SCHO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHO has been the lower-risk option at 0.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDFI or SCHO?

Over the 1-year period, SDFI has performed better with a 3.91% return vs 3.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDFI or SCHO?

SCHO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for SDFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDFI or SCHO?

SDFI has the higher dividend yield at 4.61%, compared with 3.91% for SCHO.

What is the main difference between SDFI and SCHO?

SDFI is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while SCHO is Government Bonds. SDFI tracks Actively Managed, while SCHO tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for SDFI and 0.03% for SCHO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 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.