BIBTX vs. STMDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BIBTX (Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund) and STMDX (Sterling Capital Stratton Real Estate Fund) are both mutual funds - BIBTX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Sterling Capital, while STMDX is a REIT fund managed by Sterling Capital. Over the past 10 years, BIBTX returned 2.04%/yr vs 6.59%/yr for STMDX. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BIBTX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.82%/yr for STMDX.

Performance

BIBTX vs. STMDX - 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 Stratton Real Estate Fund (STMDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIBTX achieves a 0.32% return, which is significantly lower than STMDX's 8.75% return. Over the past 10 years, BIBTX has underperformed STMDX with an annualized return of 2.04%, while STMDX has yielded a comparatively higher 6.59% annualized return.

BIBTX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 0.32%
• 6M: 0.36%
• 1Y: 5.33%
• 3Y*: 4.16%
• 5Y*: 0.16%
• 10Y*: 2.04%

STMDX

• 1D: -1.96%
• 1M: -2.14%
• YTD: 8.75%
• 6M: 7.94%
• 1Y: 7.94%
• 3Y*: 8.84%
• 5Y*: 2.61%
• 10Y*: 6.59%

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

BIBTX vs. STMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIBTX Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund	0.32%	6.93%	2.17%	5.53%	-13.24%	-1.21%	9.24%	9.29%	-0.34%	4.34%
STMDX Sterling Capital Stratton Real Estate Fund	8.75%	1.35%	6.25%	13.28%	-26.17%	38.53%	-0.54%	31.77%	-2.82%	7.81%

Correlation

The correlation between BIBTX and STMDX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 1999	0.02

Over the past year, BIBTX and STMDX have become more correlated (0.33) than their long-term average of 0.02, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

BIBTX vs. STMDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIBTX

BIBTX Risk / Return Rank: 19
BIBTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
BIBTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
BIBTX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
BIBTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
BIBTX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

STMDX

STMDX Risk / Return Rank: 8
STMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
STMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
STMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
STMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
STMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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. STMDX - 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 Stratton Real Estate Fund (STMDX). 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	STMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	0.63	+0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	0.93	+0.95
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.12	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	1.05	+0.78
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.39	2.95	+2.44
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. STMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIBTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is higher than the STMDX Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIBTX and STMDX, 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	STMDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	0.63	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.14	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.32	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	0.39	+0.54

Drawdowns

BIBTX vs. STMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIBTX drawdown since its inception was -18.28%, smaller than the maximum STMDX drawdown of -65.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIBTX and STMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIBTX	STMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.28%	-65.12%	+46.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-7.70%	+4.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.33%	-16.98%	+10.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.28%	-33.43%	+15.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.28%	-40.52%	+22.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.50%	-3.80%	+2.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-10.09%	+7.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.03%	2.74%	-1.71%

Volatility

BIBTX vs. STMDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund (BIBTX) is 1.35%, while Sterling Capital Stratton Real Estate Fund (STMDX) has a volatility of 3.78%. This indicates that BIBTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STMDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIBTX	STMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	3.78%	-2.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.87%	9.20%	-6.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.01%	12.84%	-8.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.81%	18.72%	-12.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.89%	20.41%	-15.52%

BIBTX vs. STMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIBTX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than STMDX's 0.82% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIBTX vs. STMDX - Dividend Comparison

BIBTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.26%, less than STMDX's 5.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIBTX Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund	4.26%	4.09%	4.11%	3.17%	2.82%	3.15%	4.03%	3.12%	3.22%	3.00%	3.27%	3.55%
STMDX Sterling Capital Stratton Real Estate Fund	5.83%	6.24%	7.14%	8.39%	8.29%	7.14%	4.05%	9.15%	5.92%	4.80%	7.98%	2.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIBTX and STMDX in my portfolio?

BIBTX and STMDX have a correlation of 0.33, 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 STMDX?

STMDX has higher volatility (3.78%) compared to BIBTX (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIBTX dropped -18.28% vs STMDX's -65.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIBTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.63), 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.