TCAL vs. TBUX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TCAL (T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF) and TBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TCAL is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while TBUX is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TCAL returned 0.07% vs 4.62% for TBUX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TCAL charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for TBUX.

Performance

TCAL vs. TBUX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCAL achieves a -1.64% return, which is significantly lower than TBUX's 1.83% return.

TCAL

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: -0.70%
• YTD: -1.64%
• 6M: -2.59%
• 1Y: 0.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TBUX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 6M: 2.00%
• 1Y: 4.62%
• 3Y*: 5.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TCAL vs. TBUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TCAL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF	-1.64%	1.89%
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	1.83%	4.05%

Correlation

The correlation between TCAL and TBUX is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.09

Return for Risk

TCAL vs. TBUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCAL

TCAL Risk / Return Rank: 8
TCAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
TCAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
TCAL Omega Ratio Rank: 8
TCAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
TCAL Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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

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.

TCAL vs. TBUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF (TCAL) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX). 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.

	TCAL	TBUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.01	6.90	-6.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.08	13.44	-13.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	2.96	-1.95
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.01	46.27	-46.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.03	169.36	-169.33

TCAL vs. TBUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCAL Sharpe Ratio is 0.01, which is lower than the TBUX Sharpe Ratio of 6.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCAL and TBUX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TCAL vs. TBUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCAL drawdown since its inception was -7.24%, which is greater than TBUX's maximum drawdown of -1.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCAL and TBUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCAL	TBUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.24%	-1.82%	-5.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.00%	-0.10%	-6.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.72%	-0.03%	-4.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-0.28%	-1.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	0.03%	+2.83%

Volatility

TCAL vs. TBUX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF (TCAL) has a higher volatility of 3.09% compared to T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) at 0.24%. This indicates that TCAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TBUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCAL	TBUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.09%	0.24%	+2.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.10%	0.48%	+6.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.54%	0.67%	+8.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.26%	1.06%	+10.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.26%	1.06%	+10.20%

TCAL vs. TBUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCAL has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than TBUX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCAL vs. TBUX - Dividend Comparison

TCAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.81%, more than TBUX's 4.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	4.48%	4.67%	5.39%	4.66%	2.58%	0.27%
TCAL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF	11.81%	8.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCAL and TBUX in my portfolio?

TCAL and TBUX have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCAL or TBUX?

TCAL has higher volatility (3.09%) compared to TBUX (0.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCAL dropped -7.24% vs TBUX's -1.82%.

Which ETF is better, TCAL or TBUX?

On 1-year performance, TBUX leads with 4.62% vs 0.07% for TCAL. On fees, TBUX is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, TBUX has been the lower-risk option at 0.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TCAL or TBUX?

Over the 1-year period, TBUX has performed better with a 4.62% return vs 0.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TCAL or TBUX?

TBUX is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for TCAL.

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

TCAL has the higher dividend yield at 11.81%, compared with 4.48% for TBUX.

What is the main difference between TCAL and TBUX?

TCAL is categorized as Derivative Income, while TBUX is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for TCAL and 0.17% for TBUX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TBUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.90 vs 0.01), 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.