BSCIX vs. AFB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BSCIX (Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund) and AFB (AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, BSCIX returned 1.64%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for AFB. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BSCIX charges 0.59%/yr vs 1.56%/yr for AFB.

Performance

BSCIX vs. AFB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BSCIX) and AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund (AFB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSCIX achieves a 0.76% return, which is significantly lower than AFB's 6.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BSCIX having a 1.64% annualized return and AFB not far behind at 1.60%.

BSCIX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 6M: 1.19%
• 1Y: 5.09%
• 3Y*: 3.23%
• 5Y*: 0.88%
• 10Y*: 1.64%

AFB

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.72%
• YTD: 6.20%
• 6M: 5.81%
• 1Y: 15.69%
• 3Y*: 7.29%
• 5Y*: -1.26%
• 10Y*: 1.60%

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

BSCIX vs. AFB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSCIX Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	0.76%	5.07%	0.88%	3.72%	-6.00%	0.57%	4.33%	5.90%	0.76%	3.39%
AFB AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund	6.20%	4.41%	4.10%	7.41%	-25.93%	7.25%	7.80%	20.13%	-5.43%	6.15%

Correlation

The correlation between BSCIX and AFB is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2002	0.27

The correlation between BSCIX and AFB shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.49 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BSCIX vs. AFB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSCIX

BSCIX Risk / Return Rank: 63
BSCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
BSCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BSCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BSCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
BSCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

AFB

AFB Risk / Return Rank: 50
AFB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
AFB Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
AFB Omega Ratio Rank: 50
AFB Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
AFB Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

BSCIX vs. AFB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BSCIX) and AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund (AFB). 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.

	BSCIX	AFB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.58	2.01	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.03	3.26	+0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.39	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	2.64	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.77	9.98	-3.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSCIX vs. AFB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSCIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.58, which is comparable to the AFB Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSCIX and AFB, 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

	BSCIX	AFB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.58	2.01	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	-0.12	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.14	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.22	0.33	+0.89

Drawdowns

BSCIX vs. AFB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSCIX drawdown since its inception was -9.73%, smaller than the maximum AFB drawdown of -50.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSCIX and AFB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSCIX	AFB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.73%	-50.98%	+41.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.45%	-5.96%	+3.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.82%	-16.32%	+12.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.73%	-35.17%	+25.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.73%	-35.17%	+25.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-9.57%	+8.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.45%	-8.98%	+7.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	1.58%	-0.83%

Volatility

BSCIX vs. AFB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BSCIX) is 0.77%, while AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund (AFB) has a volatility of 2.64%. This indicates that BSCIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AFB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSCIX	AFB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.77%	2.64%	-1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.58%	5.73%	-4.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98%	7.88%	-5.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.74%	10.94%	-8.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.07%	11.24%	-8.17%

BSCIX vs. AFB - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSCIX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than AFB's 1.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSCIX vs. AFB - Dividend Comparison

BSCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than AFB's 5.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFB AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund	5.02%	4.72%	3.83%	3.62%	5.26%	4.32%	4.18%	3.93%	4.53%	4.71%	5.34%	5.80%
BSCIX Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	2.73%	3.64%	2.99%	2.10%	2.02%	1.71%	1.92%	2.26%	2.12%	2.05%	2.07%	2.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSCIX and AFB in my portfolio?

BSCIX and AFB have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSCIX or AFB?

AFB has higher volatility (2.64%) compared to BSCIX (0.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSCIX dropped -9.73% vs AFB's -50.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSCIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 2.01), 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.