SDSI vs. SBND

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SDSI (American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF) and SBND (Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds - SDSI tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index while SBND tracks the Bloomberg Beta Advantage Short Term Bond (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SDSI returned 5.85%/yr vs 6.06%/yr for SBND. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDSI charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for SBND.

Performance

SDSI vs. SBND - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDSI achieves a 1.35% return, which is significantly higher than SBND's 1.02% return.

SDSI

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: 1.54%
• 1Y: 4.84%
• 3Y*: 5.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SBND

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 1.02%
• 6M: 1.19%
• 1Y: 4.88%
• 3Y*: 6.06%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SDSI vs. SBND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	1.35%	6.54%	5.63%	5.88%	1.99%
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF	1.02%	7.50%	4.83%	7.20%	2.42%

Correlation

The correlation between SDSI and SBND is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2022	0.73

The correlation between SDSI and SBND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SDSI vs. SBND — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDSI

SDSI Risk / Return Rank: 91
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

SBND

SBND Risk / Return Rank: 69
SBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SBND Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SBND Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. SBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) and Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND). 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	SBND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.03	2.00	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.58	3.05	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.40	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.15	2.87	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.56	11.93	+7.64

SDSI vs. SBND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDSI Sharpe Ratio is 3.03, which is higher than the SBND Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDSI and SBND, 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. SBND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDSI drawdown since its inception was -1.29%, smaller than the maximum SBND drawdown of -10.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDSI and SBND.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDSI	SBND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.29%	-10.78%	+9.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	-1.71%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.29%	-1.71%	+0.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-0.11%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-2.84%	+2.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	0.41%	-0.16%

Volatility

SDSI vs. SBND - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) is 0.49%, while Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) has a volatility of 0.64%. This indicates that SDSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SBND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDSI	SBND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	0.64%	-0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.20%	1.69%	-0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61%	2.46%	-0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.27%	3.60%	-1.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.27%	3.60%	-1.33%

SDSI vs. SBND - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDSI has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than SBND's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDSI vs. SBND - Dividend Comparison

SDSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.78%, more than SBND's 4.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF	4.53%	4.65%	4.58%	3.90%	2.80%	0.43%
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	4.78%	4.91%	5.49%	5.37%	0.98%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDSI and SBND in my portfolio?

SDSI and SBND have a correlation of 0.63, 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 SBND?

SBND has higher volatility (0.64%) compared to SDSI (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDSI dropped -1.29% vs SBND's -10.78%.

Which ETF is better, SDSI or SBND?

On 3-year performance, SBND leads with 6.06% vs 5.85% for SDSI. On fees, SBND is cheaper at 0.25% 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 SBND?

Over the 3-year period, SBND has performed better with a 6.06% return vs 5.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDSI or SBND?

SBND is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for SDSI.

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

SDSI has the higher dividend yield at 4.78%, compared with 4.53% for SBND.

What is the main difference between SDSI and SBND?

SDSI tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index, while SBND tracks Bloomberg Beta Advantage Short Term Bond (-300%). They also come from different issuers: American Century and Columbia. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for SDSI and 0.25% for SBND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 2.00), 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.