Sterling Capital Enhanced Core Bond ETF (SCEC) belongs to the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with SCEC. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SCEC
SCEC charges 0.39% annually. There are 27 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 117.10M | Dec 2025 | SCEC vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 39.76B | Jun 2014 | SCEC vs IUSB | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 279.73M | Nov 2016 | SCEC vs IMTB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 704.35M | Jun 2020 | SCEC vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 450.07M | Apr 2014 | SCEC vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SCEC
SCEC has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 42. There are 29 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 90.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 90 | 45.70M | Sep 2023 | SCEC vs ZHOG | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 89 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | SCEC vs BNDS | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 69 | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SCEC vs MBS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 68 | — | Mar 2025 | SCEC vs CFIT | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 62 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SCEC vs SJCP |
Top Performing SCEC Alternatives (YTD)
SCEC is at 0.26% YTD. There are 40 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 5.79%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 5.79% | — | Mar 2025 | SCEC vs CFIT | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.23% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | SCEC vs BNDS | |
| Monarch Ambassador Income ETF | 2.01% | 185.35M | Mar 2021 | SCEC vs MAMB | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.29% | 171.12M | Aug 2022 | SCEC vs BNDI | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 1.23% | 450.07M | Apr 2014 | SCEC vs BYLD |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SCEC
SCEC has 3.58% 1-year volatility. There are 15 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.59%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.59% | 45.70M | Sep 2023 | SCEC vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.43% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SCEC vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.93% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SCEC vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.07% | 32.46M | Feb 2024 | SCEC vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.30% | 719.37M | Mar 2022 | SCEC vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SCEC
SCEC has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.80%. There are 27 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -1.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -1.31% | 45.70M | Sep 2023 | SCEC vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | SCEC vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SCEC vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 32.46M | Feb 2024 | SCEC vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SCEC vs MBS |
Other ETFs from Sterling Capital
The 3 most viewed Sterling Capital ETFs shown here include SCEP, SCMC, SCNM and span 4 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $215M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Capital Hedged Equity Premium Income ETF | Equity Hedged, Derivative Income | — | 3.92% | 214.66M | Dec 2025 | SCEC vs SCEP | |
| Sterling Capital Multi-Strategy Income ETF | Multisector Bonds | — | 1.79% | 159.64M | Dec 2025 | SCEC vs SCMC | |
| Sterling Capital National Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | — | 1.38% | 178.70M | Dec 2025 | SCEC vs SCNM |
Often Compared With SCEC
Investors most often compare SCEC with BNO, GSG, DBO. These 6 comparison targets span 2 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Brent Oil Fund LP | Oil & Gas | 65 | 90.47% | 95.54M | Jun 2010 | SCEC vs BNO | |
| iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | Commodities | 71 | 42.58% | 1.04B | Jul 2006 | SCEC vs GSG | |
| Invesco DB Oil Fund | Oil & Gas | 65 | 84.75% | 275.60M | Jan 2007 | SCEC vs DBO | |
| Invesco DB Energy Fund | Oil & Gas | 71 | 83.68% | 99.79M | Jan 2007 | SCEC vs DBE | |
| iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF | Commodities | 71 | 39.67% | 1.15B | Oct 2014 | SCEC vs COMT | |
| Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | Commodities | 75 | 35.47% | 1.86B | Feb 2006 | SCEC vs DBC |
Compare SCEC with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SCEC with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SCEC with funds that move differently
Sterling Capital Enhanced Core Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SCEC.
Explore SCEC Diversifiers