ULST vs. ICSH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ULST (State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF) and ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds - ULST tracks the Bloomberg US Treasury Bellwether 3 Month Index while ICSH tracks the ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ULST returned 2.68%/yr vs 2.76%/yr for ICSH. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ULST charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for ICSH.

Performance

ULST vs. ICSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF (ULST) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ULST achieves a 1.26% return, which is significantly lower than ICSH's 1.45% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ULST having a 2.68% annualized return and ICSH not far ahead at 2.76%.

ULST

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.61%
• 1Y: 4.04%
• 3Y*: 4.93%
• 5Y*: 3.51%
• 10Y*: 2.68%

ICSH

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: 4.38%
• 3Y*: 5.20%
• 5Y*: 3.67%
• 10Y*: 2.76%

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

ULST vs. ICSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ULST State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF	1.26%	4.80%	5.23%	5.60%	0.87%	0.25%	1.45%	3.23%	2.04%	1.19%
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	1.45%	4.96%	5.52%	5.58%	0.97%	0.16%	1.61%	3.17%	2.25%	1.63%

Correlation

The correlation between ULST and ICSH is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 16, 2013	0.16

Over the past year, ULST and ICSH have become more correlated (0.42) than their long-term average of 0.16, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

ULST vs. ICSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

ULST

ULST Risk / Return Rank: 99
ULST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
ULST Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
ULST Omega Ratio Rank: 99
ULST Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ULST Martin Ratio Rank: 98

ICSH

ICSH Risk / Return Rank: 100
ICSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Omega Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH 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.

ULST vs. ICSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF (ULST) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). 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.

	ULST	ICSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	6.23	11.29	-5.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	12.49	28.60	-16.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.82	6.82	-4.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	16.92	44.50	-27.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	87.91	299.13	-211.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ULST vs. ICSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ULST Sharpe Ratio is 6.23, which is lower than the ICSH Sharpe Ratio of 11.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ULST and ICSH, 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

	ULST	ICSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.23	11.29	-5.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	3.66	7.63	-3.97
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.86	2.62	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.50	1.94	-0.44

Drawdowns

ULST vs. ICSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ULST drawdown since its inception was -6.20%, which is greater than ICSH's maximum drawdown of -3.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ULST and ICSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ULST	ICSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.20%	-3.94%	-2.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.24%	-0.10%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.54%	-0.10%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.22%	-0.73%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.20%	-3.94%	-2.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	0.00%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.16%	-0.08%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.05%	0.01%	+0.04%

Volatility

ULST vs. ICSH - Volatility Comparison

State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF (ULST) has a higher volatility of 0.20% compared to iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) at 0.16%. This indicates that ULST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ULST	ICSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.20%	0.16%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.43%	0.30%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65%	0.39%	+0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.96%	0.48%	+0.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.45%	1.06%	+0.39%

ULST vs. ICSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

ULST has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than ICSH's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ULST vs. ICSH - Dividend Comparison

ULST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.29%, less than ICSH's 4.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.34%	4.55%	5.24%	4.78%	1.66%	0.42%	1.21%	2.61%	2.20%	1.36%	0.88%	0.54%
ULST State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF	4.29%	4.46%	5.03%	4.45%	1.70%	0.54%	1.34%	2.56%	2.13%	1.21%	0.93%	0.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ULST and ICSH in my portfolio?

ULST and ICSH have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ULST or ICSH?

ULST has higher volatility (0.20%) compared to ICSH (0.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ULST dropped -6.20% vs ICSH's -3.94%.

Which ETF is better, ULST or ICSH?

On 10-year performance, ICSH leads with 2.76% vs 2.68% for ULST. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ULST or ICSH?

Over the 10-year period, ICSH has performed better with a 2.76% return vs 2.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ULST or ICSH?

ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for ULST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ULST or ICSH?

ICSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 4.29% for ULST.

What is the main difference between ULST and ICSH?

ULST tracks Bloomberg US Treasury Bellwether 3 Month Index, while ICSH tracks ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (USD). They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for ULST and 0.08% for ICSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.29 vs 6.23), 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.