TBUX vs. FBND

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

TBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) and FBND (Fidelity Total Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TBUX is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while FBND is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Fidelity. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, TBUX returned 5.85%/yr vs 4.60%/yr for FBND. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TBUX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for FBND.

Performance

TBUX vs. FBND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) and Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TBUX achieves a 1.69% return, which is significantly higher than FBND's 0.10% return.

TBUX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 2.08%
• 1Y: 4.88%
• 3Y*: 5.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FBND

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -0.69%
• YTD: 0.10%
• 6M: 0.40%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 4.60%
• 5Y*: 0.68%
• 10Y*: 2.47%

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

TBUX vs. FBND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	1.69%	5.37%	6.38%	6.39%	-0.13%	-0.22%
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF	0.10%	7.57%	2.13%	6.81%	-12.54%	0.15%

Correlation

The correlation between TBUX and FBND is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2021	0.44

The correlation between TBUX and FBND shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (3 years) to 0.51 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TBUX vs. FBND - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TBUX	FBND
Technology	52.7%	-
Communication Services	15.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	-
Healthcare	5.0%	-
Industrials	3.5%	71.4%
Basic Materials	1.3%	-
Utilities	1.2%	27.5%
Energy	0.6%	1.1%
Financial Services	0.5%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.2%	-

Return for Risk

TBUX vs. FBND — Risk / Return Rank

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

TBUX

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

FBND

FBND Risk / Return Rank: 44
FBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
FBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
FBND Omega Ratio Rank: 41
FBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
FBND Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

TBUX vs. FBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) and Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND). 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.

	TBUX	FBND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.27	1.41	+5.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	14.70	2.09	+12.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.15	1.25	+1.90
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	48.80	2.01	+46.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	185.24	5.97	+179.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TBUX vs. FBND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBUX Sharpe Ratio is 7.27, which is higher than the FBND Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBUX and FBND, 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

	TBUX	FBND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.27	1.41	+5.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.12	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.88	0.44	+3.45

Drawdowns

TBUX vs. FBND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBUX drawdown since its inception was -1.79%, smaller than the maximum FBND drawdown of -17.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBUX and FBND.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBUX	FBND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.79%	-17.25%	+15.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.10%	-2.66%	+2.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.33%	-5.94%	+5.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.25%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-17.25%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-1.82%	+1.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.28%	-3.35%	+3.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	0.90%	-0.87%

Volatility

TBUX vs. FBND - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) is 0.22%, while Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND) has a volatility of 1.23%. This indicates that TBUX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FBND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TBUX	FBND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.22%	1.23%	-1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.46%	2.75%	-2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67%	3.80%	-3.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.07%	5.92%	-4.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.07%	6.10%	-5.03%

TBUX vs. FBND - Expense Ratio Comparison

TBUX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than FBND's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

TBUX vs. FBND - Dividend Comparison

TBUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.48%, less than FBND's 4.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF	4.72%	4.70%	4.73%	4.26%	3.07%	1.86%	4.25%	2.90%	2.93%	2.56%	2.84%	3.26%
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	4.48%	4.67%	5.39%	4.66%	2.58%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TBUX and FBND in my portfolio?

TBUX and FBND have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TBUX or FBND?

FBND has higher volatility (1.23%) compared to TBUX (0.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBUX dropped -1.79% vs FBND's -17.25%.

Which ETF is better, TBUX or FBND?

On 3-year performance, TBUX leads with 5.85% vs 4.60% for FBND. On fees, TBUX is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, TBUX has been the lower-risk option at 0.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TBUX or FBND?

Over the 3-year period, TBUX has performed better with a 5.85% return vs 4.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TBUX or FBND?

TBUX is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for FBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TBUX or FBND?

FBND has the higher dividend yield at 4.72%, compared with 4.48% for TBUX.

What is the main difference between TBUX and FBND?

TBUX is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while FBND is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for TBUX and 0.36% for FBND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TBUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.27 vs 1.41), 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.