SPTU vs. IBB
SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) and IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPTU is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index, while IBB is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. SPTU charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IBB.
Performance
SPTU vs. IBB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SPTU achieves a 1.90% return, which is significantly lower than IBB's 12.39% return.
SPTU
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- 6M
- 1.78%
- YTD
- 1.90%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IBB
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 10.54%
- 6M
- 11.21%
- YTD
- 12.39%
- 1Y
- 44.83%
- 3Y*
- 13.93%
- 5Y*
- 3.63%
- 10Y*
- 7.87%
SPTU vs. IBB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF | 1.90% | 0.87% |
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF | 12.39% | 12.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between SPTU and IBB is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2025 | -0.06 |
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Return for Risk
SPTU vs. IBB — Risk / Return Rank
SPTU
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
IBB
SPTU vs. IBB - 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 iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB). 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.
| SPTU | IBB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.37 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 4.68 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 14.24 | — |
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Drawdowns
SPTU vs. IBB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPTU drawdown since its inception was -0.04%, smaller than the maximum IBB drawdown of -62.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTU and IBB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SPTU | IBB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -0.04% | -62.85% | +62.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -9.63% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -24.85% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -39.82% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -39.82% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -4.40% | +4.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.00% | -21.09% | +21.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 3.16% | — |
Volatility
SPTU vs. IBB - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| SPTU | IBB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 5.93% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 15.91% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.32% | 20.51% | -20.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.32% | 22.13% | -21.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 0.32% | 23.13% | -22.81% |
SPTU vs. IBB - Expense Ratio Comparison
SPTU has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than IBB's 0.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
SPTU vs. IBB - Dividend Comparison
SPTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, more than IBB's 0.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF | 0.22% | 0.23% | 0.29% | 0.26% | 0.31% | 0.21% | 0.21% | 0.33% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.19% | 0.03% |
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF | 2.66% | 0.89% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SPTU and IBB have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
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.
SPTU is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBB.
SPTU has the higher dividend yield at 2.66%, compared with 0.22% for IBB.
SPTU is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while IBB is Health & Biotech Equities. SPTU tracks ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index, while IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPTU and 0.47% for IBB.
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