SPTU vs. SCUS

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) and SCUS (Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. SPTU is passively managed, while SCUS is actively managed. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPTU charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for SCUS.

Performance

SPTU vs. SCUS - 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 Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SPTU having a 1.90% return and SCUS slightly lower at 1.81%.

SPTU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• 6M: 1.78%
• YTD: 1.90%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCUS

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.24%
• 6M: 1.65%
• YTD: 1.81%
• 1Y: 4.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPTU vs. SCUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	1.90%	0.87%
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	1.81%	0.97%

Correlation

The correlation between SPTU and SCUS is 0.19, 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 8, 2025	0.19

Return for Risk

SPTU vs. SCUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPTU

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

SCUS

SCUS Risk / Return Rank: 99
SCUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Omega Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. SCUS - 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 Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS). 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	SCUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	5.91	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	11.22	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	2.58	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	24.26	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	102.67	—

Drawdowns

SPTU vs. SCUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPTU drawdown since its inception was -0.04%, smaller than the maximum SCUS drawdown of -0.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTU and SCUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPTU	SCUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.04%	-0.17%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.01%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.04%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SPTU	SCUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.25%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.51%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	0.68%	-0.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.32%	0.71%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.32%	0.71%	-0.39%

SPTU vs. SCUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPTU has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SCUS's 0.14% 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. SCUS - Dividend Comparison

SPTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, less than SCUS's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	3.90%	4.17%	1.62%
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	2.66%	0.89%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPTU and SCUS in my portfolio?

SPTU and SCUS have a correlation of 0.19, 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 SCUS?

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 SCUS?

SPTU is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.14% for SCUS.

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

SCUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.90%, compared with 2.66% for SPTU.

What is the main difference between SPTU and SCUS?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPTU and 0.14% for SCUS.