SDFI vs. USTB

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SDFI (AB Short Duration Income ETF) and USTB (VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds - SDFI tracks the Actively Managed while USTB tracks the Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SDFI returned 3.91% vs 4.34% for USTB. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDFI charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for USTB.

Performance

SDFI vs. USTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Short Duration Income ETF (SDFI) and VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB). 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 lower than USTB's 1.32% return.

SDFI

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

USTB

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.32%
• 6M: 1.52%
• 1Y: 4.34%
• 3Y*: 6.13%
• 5Y*: 3.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

SDFI vs. USTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SDFI AB Short Duration Income ETF	0.89%	6.39%	3.73%
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF	1.32%	6.08%	3.97%

Correlation

The correlation between SDFI and USTB is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2024	0.75

The correlation between SDFI and USTB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SDFI vs. USTB — 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

USTB

USTB Risk / Return Rank: 94
USTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
USTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
USTB Omega Ratio Rank: 96
USTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
USTB Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. USTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Short Duration Income ETF (SDFI) and VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB). 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	USTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	3.56	-1.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	5.82	-2.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.78	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	5.16	-1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.25	23.33	-10.09

SDFI vs. USTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDFI Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is lower than the USTB Sharpe Ratio of 3.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDFI and USTB, 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. USTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDFI drawdown since its inception was -1.21%, smaller than the maximum USTB drawdown of -5.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDFI and USTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDFI	USTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.21%	-5.32%	+4.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.20%	-0.84%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.02%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-4.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.14%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-0.65%	+0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.19%	+0.11%

Volatility

SDFI vs. USTB - Volatility Comparison

AB Short Duration Income ETF (SDFI) has a higher volatility of 0.61% compared to VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) at 0.43%. This indicates that SDFI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDFI	USTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	0.43%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.39%	0.90%	+0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05%	1.23%	+0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.48%	2.02%	+0.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.48%	2.00%	+0.48%

SDFI vs. USTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDFI has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than USTB's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDFI vs. USTB - Dividend Comparison

SDFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, which matches USTB's 4.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF	4.57%	4.62%	5.05%	4.49%	2.54%	1.84%	2.59%	2.69%	2.32%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDFI and USTB in my portfolio?

SDFI and USTB have a correlation of 0.82, 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 USTB?

SDFI has higher volatility (0.61%) compared to USTB (0.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDFI dropped -1.21% vs USTB's -5.32%.

Which ETF is better, SDFI or USTB?

On 1-year performance, USTB leads with 4.34% vs 3.91% for SDFI. On fees, SDFI is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, USTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDFI or USTB?

Over the 1-year period, USTB has performed better with a 4.34% return vs 3.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDFI or USTB?

SDFI is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for USTB.

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

SDFI has the higher dividend yield at 4.61%, compared with 4.57% for USTB.

What is the main difference between SDFI and USTB?

SDFI tracks Actively Managed, while USTB tracks Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Victory. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for SDFI and 0.34% for USTB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.56 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.