SLDR vs. SPTS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SLDR (Global X Short-Term Treasury Ladder ETF) and SPTS (SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - SLDR tracks the FTSE US Treasury 1-3 Years Laddered Bond Index while SPTS tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SLDR returned 3.07% vs 3.31% for SPTS. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SLDR charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTS.

Performance

SLDR vs. SPTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Short-Term Treasury Ladder ETF (SLDR) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLDR achieves a 0.38% return, which is significantly lower than SPTS's 0.52% return.

SLDR

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.38%
• 6M: 0.73%
• 1Y: 3.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPTS

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 0.52%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 3.31%
• 3Y*: 4.20%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 1.66%

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

SLDR vs. SPTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SLDR Global X Short-Term Treasury Ladder ETF	0.38%	4.60%	0.61%
SPTS SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF	0.52%	5.05%	0.13%

Correlation

The correlation between SLDR and SPTS 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 Sep 11, 2024	0.85

The correlation between SLDR and SPTS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SLDR vs. SPTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLDR

SLDR Risk / Return Rank: 81
SLDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SLDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SLDR Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SLDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SLDR Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SPTS

SPTS Risk / Return Rank: 83
SPTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SPTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SPTS Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SPTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
SPTS Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

SLDR vs. SPTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Short-Term Treasury Ladder ETF (SLDR) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). 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.

	SLDR	SPTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.55	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.95	4.29	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.53	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	3.96	-0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.65	15.95	-2.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLDR vs. SPTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLDR Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the SPTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLDR and SPTS, 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

	SLDR	SPTS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.55	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.93	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.61	0.49	+2.12

Drawdowns

SLDR vs. SPTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLDR drawdown since its inception was -0.87%, smaller than the maximum SPTS drawdown of -5.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLDR and SPTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLDR	SPTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-5.83%	+4.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.87%	-0.84%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.96%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.21%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.14%	-1.72%	+1.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	0.21%	+0.02%

Volatility

SLDR vs. SPTS - Volatility Comparison

Global X Short-Term Treasury Ladder ETF (SLDR) has a higher volatility of 0.37% compared to SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS) at 0.34%. This indicates that SLDR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLDR	SPTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.37%	0.34%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.79%	0.86%	-0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26%	1.32%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.24%	1.98%	-0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.24%	1.72%	-0.48%

SLDR vs. SPTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLDR has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTS's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SLDR vs. SPTS - Dividend Comparison

SLDR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.71%, less than SPTS's 3.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SLDR Global X Short-Term Treasury Ladder ETF	3.71%	3.80%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPTS SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF	3.91%	3.99%	4.25%	3.61%	1.27%	0.19%	0.70%	2.21%	2.04%	1.20%	0.95%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLDR and SPTS in my portfolio?

SLDR and SPTS 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, SLDR or SPTS?

SLDR has higher volatility (0.37%) compared to SPTS (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLDR dropped -0.87% vs SPTS's -5.83%.

Which ETF is better, SLDR or SPTS?

On 1-year performance, SPTS leads with 3.31% vs 3.07% for SLDR. On fees, SPTS is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLDR or SPTS?

Over the 1-year period, SPTS has performed better with a 3.31% return vs 3.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLDR or SPTS?

SPTS is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for SLDR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SLDR or SPTS?

SPTS has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 3.71% for SLDR.

What is the main difference between SLDR and SPTS?

SLDR tracks FTSE US Treasury 1-3 Years Laddered Bond Index, while SPTS tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for SLDR and 0.03% for SPTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.47), 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.