SPSB vs. BUBSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPSB (SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF) and BUBSX (Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund) are both funds - SPSB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-3 Year Corporate Bond Index, while BUBSX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by Baird. Over the past 10 years, SPSB returned 2.63%/yr vs 2.51%/yr for BUBSX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPSB charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for BUBSX.

Performance

SPSB vs. BUBSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) and Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund (BUBSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPSB achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than BUBSX's 1.41% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPSB having a 2.63% annualized return and BUBSX not far behind at 2.51%.

SPSB

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 4.29%
• 3Y*: 5.29%
• 5Y*: 2.69%
• 10Y*: 2.63%

BUBSX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 1.41%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 4.11%
• 3Y*: 4.96%
• 5Y*: 3.45%
• 10Y*: 2.51%

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

SPSB vs. BUBSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPSB SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.84%	5.86%	5.25%	5.60%	-3.31%	-0.20%	3.83%	5.21%	1.45%	1.58%
BUBSX Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund	1.41%	4.53%	5.47%	5.43%	0.70%	-0.05%	1.66%	2.87%	1.61%	1.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SPSB and BUBSX is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 6, 2014	0.22

The correlation between SPSB and BUBSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (all time) to 0.33 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SPSB vs. BUBSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPSB

SPSB Risk / Return Rank: 92
SPSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SPSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SPSB Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SPSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SPSB Martin Ratio Rank: 91

BUBSX

BUBSX Risk / Return Rank: 100
BUBSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BUBSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BUBSX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BUBSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BUBSX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

SPSB vs. BUBSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) and Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund (BUBSX). 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.

	SPSB	BUBSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.25	6.62	-3.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.36	23.03	-17.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	12.11	-10.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.94	41.98	-37.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	22.90	305.78	-282.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPSB vs. BUBSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPSB Sharpe Ratio is 3.25, which is lower than the BUBSX Sharpe Ratio of 6.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPSB and BUBSX, 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

	SPSB	BUBSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25	6.62	-3.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.36	4.56	-3.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	3.59	-2.72
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	3.16	-2.29

Drawdowns

SPSB vs. BUBSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPSB drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, which is greater than BUBSX's maximum drawdown of -1.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPSB and BUBSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPSB	BUBSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-1.88%	-9.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.87%	-0.10%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.87%	-0.29%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.96%	-0.83%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.75%	-1.88%	-9.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	0.00%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.54%	-0.07%	-0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.19%	0.01%	+0.18%

Volatility

SPSB vs. BUBSX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) has a higher volatility of 0.35% compared to Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund (BUBSX) at 0.16%. This indicates that SPSB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUBSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPSB	BUBSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	0.16%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.94%	0.43%	+0.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33%	0.62%	+0.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.98%	0.76%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.06%	0.70%	+2.36%

SPSB vs. BUBSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPSB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than BUBSX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPSB vs. BUBSX - Dividend Comparison

SPSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.41%, more than BUBSX's 4.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUBSX Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund	4.04%	4.24%	5.04%	4.39%	1.29%	0.25%	1.14%	2.33%	1.90%	1.04%	0.81%	0.56%
SPSB SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.41%	4.55%	4.85%	4.05%	1.92%	1.19%	1.94%	2.77%	2.36%	1.94%	1.65%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPSB and BUBSX in my portfolio?

SPSB and BUBSX have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPSB or BUBSX?

SPSB has higher volatility (0.35%) compared to BUBSX (0.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPSB dropped -11.75% vs BUBSX's -1.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUBSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.62 vs 3.25), 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.