SDSI vs. AVSF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SDSI (American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF) and AVSF (Avantis Short-Term Fixed Income ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. SDSI is passively managed, while AVSF is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SDSI returned 5.83%/yr vs 4.81%/yr for AVSF. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDSI charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AVSF.

Performance

SDSI vs. AVSF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) and Avantis Short-Term Fixed Income ETF (AVSF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDSI achieves a 1.28% return, which is significantly higher than AVSF's 0.40% return.

SDSI

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.28%
• 6M: 1.46%
• 1Y: 4.89%
• 3Y*: 5.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVSF

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.40%
• 6M: 0.58%
• 1Y: 3.65%
• 3Y*: 4.81%
• 5Y*: 1.87%
• 10Y*: —

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

SDSI vs. AVSF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	1.28%	6.54%	5.63%	5.88%	1.99%
AVSF Avantis Short-Term Fixed Income ETF	0.40%	6.57%	3.81%	5.25%	1.62%

Correlation

The correlation between SDSI and AVSF is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2022	0.82

The correlation between SDSI and AVSF shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SDSI vs. AVSF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDSI

SDSI Risk / Return Rank: 90
SDSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SDSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SDSI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
SDSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SDSI Martin Ratio Rank: 90

AVSF

AVSF Risk / Return Rank: 58
AVSF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
AVSF Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
AVSF Omega Ratio Rank: 60
AVSF Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
AVSF Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

SDSI vs. AVSF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) and Avantis Short-Term Fixed Income ETF (AVSF). 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.

	SDSI	AVSF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	1.91	+1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.63	2.86	+1.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.36	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.20	2.59	+1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.76	9.43	+10.34

SDSI vs. AVSF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDSI Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is higher than the AVSF Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDSI and AVSF, 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

SDSI vs. AVSF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDSI drawdown since its inception was -1.29%, smaller than the maximum AVSF drawdown of -8.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDSI and AVSF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDSI	AVSF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.29%	-8.85%	+7.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	-1.42%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.29%	-1.42%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-8.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.58%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-2.19%	+1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	0.39%	-0.14%

Volatility

SDSI vs. AVSF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) is 0.49%, while Avantis Short-Term Fixed Income ETF (AVSF) has a volatility of 0.67%. This indicates that SDSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVSF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDSI	AVSF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	0.67%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.20%	1.44%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61%	1.92%	-0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.27%	2.66%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.27%	2.53%	-0.26%

SDSI vs. AVSF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDSI has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than AVSF's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDSI vs. AVSF - Dividend Comparison

SDSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.79%, more than AVSF's 4.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AVSF Avantis Short-Term Fixed Income ETF	4.37%	4.31%	4.34%	3.93%	1.78%	0.48%	0.10%
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	4.79%	4.91%	5.49%	5.37%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDSI and AVSF in my portfolio?

SDSI and AVSF have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDSI or AVSF?

AVSF has higher volatility (0.67%) compared to SDSI (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDSI dropped -1.29% vs AVSF's -8.85%.

Which ETF is better, SDSI or AVSF?

On 3-year performance, SDSI leads with 5.83% vs 4.81% for AVSF. On fees, AVSF is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, SDSI 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, SDSI or AVSF?

Over the 3-year period, SDSI has performed better with a 5.83% return vs 4.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDSI or AVSF?

AVSF is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for SDSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDSI or AVSF?

SDSI has the higher dividend yield at 4.79%, compared with 4.37% for AVSF.

What is the main difference between SDSI and AVSF?

They also come from different issuers: American Century and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for SDSI and 0.15% for AVSF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 1.91), 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.