SWSBX vs. ASBAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWSBX (Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund) and ASBAX (American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, SWSBX returned 1.30%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for ASBAX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SWSBX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for ASBAX.

Performance

SWSBX vs. ASBAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund (SWSBX) and American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SWSBX having a 0.34% return and ASBAX slightly higher at 0.35%.

SWSBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.34%
• 6M: 0.60%
• 1Y: 3.75%
• 3Y*: 4.12%
• 5Y*: 1.30%
• 10Y*: —

ASBAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 3.16%
• 3Y*: 4.04%
• 5Y*: 1.60%
• 10Y*: 1.61%

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

SWSBX vs. ASBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWSBX Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund	0.34%	6.06%	3.42%	3.95%	-5.89%	-1.28%	4.47%	4.96%	1.34%	0.85%
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America	0.35%	5.05%	4.31%	3.60%	-4.16%	-0.88%	3.53%	2.81%	1.10%	0.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SWSBX and ASBAX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2017	0.78

The correlation between SWSBX and ASBAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWSBX vs. ASBAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWSBX

SWSBX Risk / Return Rank: 38
SWSBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
SWSBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SWSBX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SWSBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SWSBX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

ASBAX

ASBAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
ASBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
ASBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
ASBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
ASBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ASBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

SWSBX vs. ASBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund (SWSBX) and American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX). 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.

	SWSBX	ASBAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.74	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	3.12	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.41	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	2.56	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.75	9.40	-1.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWSBX vs. ASBAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWSBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the ASBAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWSBX and ASBAX, 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

	SWSBX	ASBAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	1.74	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.72	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.97	-0.20

Drawdowns

SWSBX vs. ASBAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWSBX drawdown since its inception was -9.06%, which is greater than ASBAX's maximum drawdown of -6.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWSBX and ASBAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWSBX	ASBAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.06%	-6.29%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.54%	-1.24%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.79%	-1.24%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.06%	-6.23%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-6.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-0.33%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.79%	-0.68%	-1.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.47%	0.34%	+0.13%

Volatility

SWSBX vs. ASBAX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund (SWSBX) has a higher volatility of 0.70% compared to American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) at 0.57%. This indicates that SWSBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ASBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWSBX	ASBAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.70%	0.57%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.62%	1.36%	+0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23%	1.84%	+0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.99%	2.23%	+0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.47%	1.83%	+0.64%

SWSBX vs. ASBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWSBX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than ASBAX's 0.66% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWSBX vs. ASBAX - Dividend Comparison

SWSBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.13%, more than ASBAX's 3.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America	3.76%	3.87%	3.99%	2.88%	1.02%	0.42%	2.08%	1.66%	1.70%	1.21%	0.83%	1.21%
SWSBX Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund	4.13%	4.09%	3.66%	2.36%	1.11%	0.97%	1.82%	2.41%	2.12%	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWSBX and ASBAX in my portfolio?

SWSBX and ASBAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWSBX or ASBAX?

SWSBX has higher volatility (0.70%) compared to ASBAX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWSBX dropped -9.06% vs ASBAX's -6.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.64), 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.