SDSI vs. NPFI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SDSI (American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF) and NPFI (Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDSI is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index, while NPFI is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Nuveen. SDSI is passively managed, while NPFI is actively managed. Over the past year, SDSI returned 5.24% vs 8.11% for NPFI. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SDSI charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for NPFI.

Performance

SDSI vs. NPFI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDSI achieves a 1.26% return, which is significantly lower than NPFI's 1.74% return.

SDSI

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.78%
• 1Y: 5.24%
• 3Y*: 5.78%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NPFI

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 1.74%
• 6M: 2.31%
• 1Y: 8.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SDSI vs. NPFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	1.26%	6.54%	4.97%
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	1.74%	9.21%	6.56%

Correlation

The correlation between SDSI and NPFI is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024	0.40

Return for Risk

SDSI vs. NPFI — 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: 91
SDSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SDSI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
SDSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SDSI Martin Ratio Rank: 89

NPFI

NPFI Risk / Return Rank: 77
NPFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
NPFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
NPFI Omega Ratio Rank: 94
NPFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
NPFI Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. NPFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) and Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI). 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.

	SDSI	NPFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.22	2.80	+0.43
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.97	4.30	+0.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.66	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	2.60	+1.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.71	12.57	+8.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDSI vs. NPFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDSI Sharpe Ratio is 3.22, which is comparable to the NPFI Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDSI and NPFI, 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

	SDSI	NPFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22	2.80	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.60	2.67	-0.07

Drawdowns

SDSI vs. NPFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDSI drawdown since its inception was -1.29%, smaller than the maximum NPFI drawdown of -3.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDSI and NPFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDSI	NPFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.29%	-3.18%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	-3.18%	+2.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	0.00%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-0.34%	+0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	0.66%	-0.41%

Volatility

SDSI vs. NPFI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) is 0.43%, while Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) has a volatility of 1.00%. This indicates that SDSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NPFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDSI	NPFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.43%	1.00%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.14%	2.53%	-1.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64%	2.91%	-1.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.28%	2.95%	-0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.28%	2.95%	-0.67%

SDSI vs. NPFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDSI has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than NPFI's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDSI vs. NPFI - Dividend Comparison

SDSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.41%, less than NPFI's 6.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	6.40%	6.33%	5.10%	0.00%	0.00%
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	4.41%	4.91%	5.49%	5.37%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDSI and NPFI in my portfolio?

SDSI and NPFI have a correlation of 0.50, 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 NPFI?

NPFI has higher volatility (1.00%) compared to SDSI (0.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDSI dropped -1.29% vs NPFI's -3.18%.

Which ETF is better, SDSI or NPFI?

On 1-year performance, NPFI leads with 8.11% vs 5.24% for SDSI. On fees, SDSI is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, SDSI 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, SDSI or NPFI?

Over the 1-year period, NPFI has performed better with a 8.11% return vs 5.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDSI or NPFI?

SDSI is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for NPFI.

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

NPFI has the higher dividend yield at 6.40%, compared with 4.41% for SDSI.

What is the main difference between SDSI and NPFI?

SDSI is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while NPFI is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for SDSI and 0.55% for NPFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.22 vs 2.80), 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.