TSDUX vs. NUSFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TSDUX (Morgan Stanley Pathway Funds Ultra-ShortTerm Fixed Income Fund) and NUSFX (Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, TSDUX returned 2.66%/yr vs 2.35%/yr for NUSFX. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. TSDUX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for NUSFX.

Performance

TSDUX vs. NUSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Pathway Funds Ultra-ShortTerm Fixed Income Fund (TSDUX) 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, TSDUX achieves a 1.56% return, which is significantly higher than NUSFX's 1.24% return. Over the past 10 years, TSDUX has outperformed NUSFX with an annualized return of 2.66%, while NUSFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.35% annualized return.

TSDUX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 6M: 1.98%
• 1Y: 3.17%
• 3Y*: 4.90%
• 5Y*: 3.35%
• 10Y*: 2.66%

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)

TSDUX vs. NUSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSDUX Morgan Stanley Pathway Funds Ultra-ShortTerm Fixed Income Fund	1.56%	3.24%	6.04%	5.94%	0.41%	-0.11%	2.06%	2.65%	1.64%	1.73%
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 TSDUX and NUSFX is -0.00, 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	-0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.05
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2016	-0.02

Return for Risk

TSDUX vs. NUSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSDUX

TSDUX Risk / Return Rank: 95
TSDUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
TSDUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
TSDUX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
TSDUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
TSDUX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

TSDUX vs. NUSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Pathway Funds Ultra-ShortTerm Fixed Income Fund (TSDUX) 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.

	TSDUX	NUSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.15	3.14	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.20	10.56	-6.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.59	3.55	-0.95
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.96	11.30	-2.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	27.44	41.58	-14.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSDUX vs. NUSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSDUX Sharpe Ratio is 3.15, which is comparable to the NUSFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSDUX 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

	TSDUX	NUSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.15	3.14	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	3.13	2.09	+1.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	2.48	1.94	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.48	1.78	+0.70

Drawdowns

TSDUX vs. NUSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSDUX drawdown since its inception was -3.94%, roughly equal to the maximum NUSFX drawdown of -3.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSDUX and NUSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSDUX	NUSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.94%	-3.88%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.41%	-0.39%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.73%	-0.87%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.72%	-3.35%	+1.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-3.94%	-3.88%	-0.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	-0.24%	+0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.14%	0.11%	+0.03%

Volatility

TSDUX vs. NUSFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Morgan Stanley Pathway Funds Ultra-ShortTerm Fixed Income Fund (TSDUX) is 0.19%, while Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund (NUSFX) has a volatility of 0.49%. This indicates that TSDUX 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

	TSDUX	NUSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.19%	0.49%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.62%	0.96%	-0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.03%	1.38%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.11%	1.32%	-0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.09%	1.22%	-0.13%

TSDUX vs. NUSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSDUX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSFX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSDUX vs. NUSFX - Dividend Comparison

TSDUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.91%, less 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%
TSDUX Morgan Stanley Pathway Funds Ultra-ShortTerm Fixed Income Fund	2.91%	3.09%	5.03%	1.55%	6.36%	0.60%	1.65%	2.84%	2.66%	2.22%	1.87%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSDUX and NUSFX in my portfolio?

TSDUX and NUSFX have a correlation of -0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSDUX or NUSFX?

NUSFX has higher volatility (0.49%) compared to TSDUX (0.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSDUX dropped -3.94% vs NUSFX's -3.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSDUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 3.14), 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.