SPTU vs. BOXX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) and BOXX (Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds - SPTU tracks the ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index while BOXX tracks the Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPTU charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for BOXX.

Performance

SPTU vs. BOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPTU achieves a 1.48% return, which is significantly lower than BOXX's 1.58% return.

SPTU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.48%
• 6M: 1.81%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BOXX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.58%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 4.10%
• 3Y*: 4.75%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPTU vs. BOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	1.48%	0.92%
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	1.58%	1.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SPTU and BOXX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2025	0.17

Return for Risk

SPTU vs. BOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BOXX

BOXX Risk / Return Rank: 100
BOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX 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.

SPTU vs. BOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPTU	BOXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	12.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	11.82	12.91	-1.09

Drawdowns

SPTU vs. BOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPTU drawdown since its inception was -0.04%, smaller than the maximum BOXX drawdown of -0.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTU and BOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPTU	BOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.04%	-0.12%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.07%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.00%	-0.00%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.01%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SPTU	BOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.09%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.25%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	0.32%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.32%	0.37%	-0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.32%	0.37%	-0.05%

SPTU vs. BOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPTU has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than BOXX's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPTU vs. BOXX - Dividend Comparison

SPTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.36%, while BOXX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	2.36%	0.89%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPTU and BOXX in my portfolio?

SPTU and BOXX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SPTU or BOXX?

On fees, SPTU is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPTU or BOXX?

SPTU is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for BOXX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPTU or BOXX?

SPTU has the higher dividend yield at 2.36%, compared with 0.00% for BOXX.

What is the main difference between SPTU and BOXX?

SPTU tracks ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index, while BOXX tracks Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPTU and 0.19% for BOXX.