BIBTX vs. BBNTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BIBTX (Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund) and BBNTX (Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund) are both mutual funds - BIBTX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Sterling Capital, while BBNTX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Sterling Capital. Over the past 10 years, BIBTX returned 2.05%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for BBNTX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BIBTX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for BBNTX.

Performance

BIBTX vs. BBNTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund (BIBTX) and Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BBNTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIBTX achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly lower than BBNTX's 0.72% return. Over the past 10 years, BIBTX has outperformed BBNTX with an annualized return of 2.05%, while BBNTX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.50% annualized return.

BIBTX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.36%
• 1Y: 5.44%
• 3Y*: 4.20%
• 5Y*: 0.22%
• 10Y*: 2.05%

BBNTX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 5.00%
• 3Y*: 3.14%
• 5Y*: 0.78%
• 10Y*: 1.50%

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

BIBTX vs. BBNTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIBTX Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund	0.43%	6.93%	2.17%	5.53%	-13.24%	-1.21%	9.24%	9.29%	-0.34%	4.34%
BBNTX Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	0.72%	5.19%	0.45%	3.64%	-5.86%	-0.23%	4.26%	6.09%	0.73%	3.28%

Correlation

The correlation between BIBTX and BBNTX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 1999	0.58

The correlation between BIBTX and BBNTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIBTX vs. BBNTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIBTX

BIBTX Risk / Return Rank: 22
BIBTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
BIBTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
BIBTX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
BIBTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
BIBTX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

BBNTX

BBNTX Risk / Return Rank: 54
BBNTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
BBNTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
BBNTX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BBNTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
BBNTX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

BIBTX vs. BBNTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund (BIBTX) and Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BBNTX). 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.

	BIBTX	BBNTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	2.39	-1.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	3.52	-1.46
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.63	-0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	1.79	0.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.25	5.65	-0.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIBTX vs. BBNTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIBTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is lower than the BBNTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIBTX and BBNTX, 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

	BIBTX	BBNTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	2.39	-1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.27	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.47	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	1.22	-0.29

Drawdowns

BIBTX vs. BBNTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIBTX drawdown since its inception was -18.28%, which is greater than BBNTX's maximum drawdown of -10.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIBTX and BBNTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIBTX	BBNTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.28%	-10.25%	-8.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-2.81%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.33%	-4.15%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.28%	-10.16%	-8.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.28%	-10.25%	-8.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-1.07%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-1.46%	-0.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.89%	+0.15%

Volatility

BIBTX vs. BBNTX - Volatility Comparison

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund (BIBTX) has a higher volatility of 1.35% compared to Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BBNTX) at 0.89%. This indicates that BIBTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BBNTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIBTX	BBNTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	0.89%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.87%	1.75%	+1.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.00%	2.11%	+1.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.81%	2.84%	+2.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.89%	3.22%	+1.67%

BIBTX vs. BBNTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIBTX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than BBNTX's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIBTX vs. BBNTX - Dividend Comparison

BIBTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, more than BBNTX's 2.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBNTX Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	2.68%	3.52%	2.82%	2.07%	1.94%	1.59%	1.62%	2.43%	2.51%	2.39%	2.73%	2.98%
BIBTX Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund	4.25%	4.09%	4.11%	3.17%	2.82%	3.15%	4.03%	3.12%	3.22%	3.00%	3.27%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIBTX and BBNTX in my portfolio?

BIBTX and BBNTX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIBTX or BBNTX?

BIBTX has higher volatility (1.35%) compared to BBNTX (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIBTX dropped -18.28% vs BBNTX's -10.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBNTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.37), 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.