ZTRE vs. SDSI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ZTRE (F/M 3-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) and SDSI (American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds - ZTRE tracks the ICE 3-Year US Target Maturity Corporate Index - Benchmark TR Gross while SDSI tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ZTRE returned 3.84% vs 4.89% for SDSI. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZTRE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for SDSI.

Performance

ZTRE vs. SDSI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in F/M 3-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (ZTRE) and American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZTRE achieves a 0.47% return, which is significantly lower than SDSI's 1.28% return.

ZTRE

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 0.47%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 3.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SDSI

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.28%
• 6M: 1.46%
• 1Y: 4.89%
• 3Y*: 5.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZTRE vs. SDSI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZTRE F/M 3-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	0.47%	6.60%	0.32%
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	1.28%	6.54%	0.31%

Correlation

The correlation between ZTRE and SDSI is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024	0.72

The correlation between ZTRE and SDSI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZTRE vs. SDSI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZTRE

ZTRE Risk / Return Rank: 64
ZTRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ZTRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ZTRE Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ZTRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ZTRE Martin Ratio Rank: 61

SDSI

SDSI Risk / Return Rank: 90
SDSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SDSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SDSI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
SDSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SDSI Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

ZTRE vs. SDSI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for F/M 3-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (ZTRE) and American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI). 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.

	ZTRE	SDSI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	3.05	-1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	4.63	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.62	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	4.20	-1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.60	19.76	-9.16

ZTRE vs. SDSI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZTRE Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is lower than the SDSI Sharpe Ratio of 3.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZTRE and SDSI, 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

ZTRE vs. SDSI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZTRE drawdown since its inception was -1.45%, which is greater than SDSI's maximum drawdown of -1.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZTRE and SDSI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZTRE	SDSI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.45%	-1.29%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.45%	-1.17%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-0.14%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.20%	-0.24%	+0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	0.25%	+0.11%

Volatility

ZTRE vs. SDSI - Volatility Comparison

F/M 3-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (ZTRE) has a higher volatility of 0.59% compared to American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF (SDSI) at 0.49%. This indicates that ZTRE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDSI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZTRE	SDSI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.59%	0.49%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.48%	1.20%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90%	1.61%	+0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.11%	2.27%	-0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.11%	2.27%	-0.16%

ZTRE vs. SDSI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZTRE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than SDSI's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZTRE vs. SDSI - Dividend Comparison

ZTRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.22%, less than SDSI's 4.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
SDSI American Century Short Duration Strategic Income ETF	4.79%	4.91%	5.49%	5.37%	0.98%
ZTRE F/M 3-Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	4.22%	4.37%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZTRE and SDSI in my portfolio?

ZTRE and SDSI have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZTRE or SDSI?

ZTRE has higher volatility (0.59%) compared to SDSI (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZTRE dropped -1.45% vs SDSI's -1.29%.

Which ETF is better, ZTRE or SDSI?

On 1-year performance, SDSI leads with 4.89% vs 3.84% for ZTRE. On fees, ZTRE is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, SDSI has been the lower-risk option at 0.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZTRE or SDSI?

Over the 1-year period, SDSI has performed better with a 4.89% return vs 3.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZTRE or SDSI?

ZTRE is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for SDSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZTRE or SDSI?

SDSI has the higher dividend yield at 4.79%, compared with 4.22% for ZTRE.

What is the main difference between ZTRE and SDSI?

ZTRE tracks ICE 3-Year US Target Maturity Corporate Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SDSI tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: F/m and American Century. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ZTRE and 0.33% for SDSI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 2.03), 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.