STXK vs. BUXX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

STXK (Strive Small-Cap ETF) and BUXX (Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STXK is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US 600 Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while BUXX is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Strive. STXK is passively managed, while BUXX is actively managed. Over the past year, STXK returned 29.08% vs 4.35% for BUXX. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. STXK charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for BUXX.

Performance

STXK vs. BUXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) and Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF (BUXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STXK achieves a 11.46% return, which is significantly higher than BUXX's 1.56% return.

STXK

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 2.14%
• YTD: 11.46%
• 6M: 11.82%
• 1Y: 29.08%
• 3Y*: 14.58%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUXX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 6M: 1.89%
• 1Y: 4.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

STXK vs. BUXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
STXK Strive Small-Cap ETF	11.46%	7.82%	9.47%	8.36%
BUXX Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF	1.56%	4.84%	6.18%	2.89%

Correlation

The correlation between STXK and BUXX is 0.05, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2023	0.11

Return for Risk

STXK vs. BUXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

STXK

STXK Risk / Return Rank: 52
STXK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
STXK Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
STXK Omega Ratio Rank: 46
STXK Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
STXK Martin Ratio Rank: 57

BUXX

BUXX Risk / Return Rank: 97
BUXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BUXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
BUXX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
BUXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
BUXX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

STXK vs. BUXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) and Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF (BUXX). 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.

	STXK	BUXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	3.59	-1.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	6.08	-3.54
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.86	-0.56
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	14.79	-11.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.08	60.75	-50.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STXK vs. BUXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STXK Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is lower than the BUXX Sharpe Ratio of 3.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STXK and BUXX, 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

	STXK	BUXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	3.59	-1.85
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	3.81	-3.21

Drawdowns

STXK vs. BUXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STXK drawdown since its inception was -27.12%, which is greater than BUXX's maximum drawdown of -0.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STXK and BUXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STXK	BUXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.12%	-0.60%	-26.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.81%	-0.29%	-9.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.05%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.62%	-0.05%	-5.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	0.07%	+2.77%

Volatility

STXK vs. BUXX - Volatility Comparison

Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) has a higher volatility of 4.18% compared to Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF (BUXX) at 0.31%. This indicates that STXK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STXK	BUXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.18%	0.31%	+3.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.56%	0.78%	+10.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.83%	1.22%	+15.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.13%	1.46%	+18.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.13%	1.46%	+18.67%

STXK vs. BUXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STXK has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than BUXX's 0.26% 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

STXK vs. BUXX - Dividend Comparison

STXK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, less than BUXX's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUXX Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF	4.73%	4.95%	5.55%	1.92%	0.00%
STXK Strive Small-Cap ETF	1.38%	1.29%	1.64%	1.14%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STXK and BUXX in my portfolio?

STXK and BUXX have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STXK or BUXX?

STXK has higher volatility (4.18%) compared to BUXX (0.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STXK dropped -27.12% vs BUXX's -0.60%.

Which ETF is better, STXK or BUXX?

On 1-year performance, STXK leads with 29.08% vs 4.35% for BUXX. On fees, STXK is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, BUXX has been the lower-risk option at 0.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STXK or BUXX?

Over the 1-year period, STXK has performed better with a 29.08% return vs 4.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STXK or BUXX?

STXK is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.26% for BUXX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STXK or BUXX?

BUXX has the higher dividend yield at 4.73%, compared with 1.38% for STXK.

What is the main difference between STXK and BUXX?

STXK is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while BUXX is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for STXK and 0.26% for BUXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.59 vs 1.74), 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.