TSDOX vs. NUSFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TSDOX (Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund) and NUSFX (Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, TSDOX returned 2.65%/yr vs 2.35%/yr for NUSFX. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TSDOX charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for NUSFX.

Performance

TSDOX vs. NUSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund (TSDOX) and Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund (NUSFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSDOX achieves a 1.59% return, which is significantly higher than NUSFX's 1.24% return. Over the past 10 years, TSDOX has outperformed NUSFX with an annualized return of 2.65%, while NUSFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.35% annualized return.

TSDOX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 1.98%
• 1Y: 4.43%
• 3Y*: 5.76%
• 5Y*: 3.67%
• 10Y*: 2.65%

NUSFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.53%
• 1Y: 4.27%
• 3Y*: 4.59%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: 2.35%

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

TSDOX vs. NUSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSDOX Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund	1.59%	4.73%	6.87%	5.75%	-0.37%	0.20%	1.25%	3.07%	1.63%	1.32%
NUSFX Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund	1.24%	4.27%	5.22%	5.21%	-1.59%	-0.17%	2.34%	3.68%	1.51%	1.53%

Correlation

The correlation between TSDOX and NUSFX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2009	0.20

The correlation between TSDOX and NUSFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.30 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TSDOX vs. NUSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSDOX

TSDOX Risk / Return Rank: 98
TSDOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
TSDOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
TSDOX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
TSDOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
TSDOX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

NUSFX

NUSFX Risk / Return Rank: 98
NUSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
NUSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
NUSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
NUSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
NUSFX 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.

TSDOX vs. NUSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund (TSDOX) and Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund (NUSFX). 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.

	TSDOX	NUSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.12	3.14	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	10.05	10.56	-0.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.87	3.55	+0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	22.31	11.30	+11.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	71.59	41.58	+30.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSDOX vs. NUSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSDOX Sharpe Ratio is 3.12, which is comparable to the NUSFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSDOX and NUSFX, 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

	TSDOX	NUSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.12	3.14	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.70	2.09	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	2.01	1.94	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.76	1.78	-0.02

Drawdowns

TSDOX vs. NUSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSDOX drawdown since its inception was -5.27%, which is greater than NUSFX's maximum drawdown of -3.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSDOX and NUSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSDOX	NUSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.27%	-3.88%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.22%	-0.39%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.32%	-0.87%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.50%	-3.35%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.27%	-3.88%	-1.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.18%	-0.24%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.07%	0.11%	-0.04%

Volatility

TSDOX vs. NUSFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund (TSDOX) is 0.42%, while Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund (NUSFX) has a volatility of 0.49%. This indicates that TSDOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUSFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSDOX	NUSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.42%	0.49%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.07%	0.96%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43%	1.38%	+0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.36%	1.32%	+0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.33%	1.22%	+0.11%

TSDOX vs. NUSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSDOX has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSFX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSDOX vs. NUSFX - Dividend Comparison

TSDOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.33%, more than NUSFX's 4.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NUSFX Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund	4.18%	3.78%	4.09%	2.86%	0.97%	0.71%	1.52%	2.42%	2.09%	1.42%	1.07%	0.85%
TSDOX Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund	4.33%	4.51%	5.64%	4.11%	1.61%	0.86%	1.66%	2.48%	2.16%	1.64%	1.29%	1.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSDOX and NUSFX in my portfolio?

TSDOX and NUSFX have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSDOX or NUSFX?

NUSFX has higher volatility (0.49%) compared to TSDOX (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSDOX dropped -5.27% vs NUSFX's -3.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUSFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.14 vs 3.12), 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.