ELFY vs. SMTH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ELFY (ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF) and SMTH (ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ELFY is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Ladenburg Thalmann Electrification Infrastructure Index, while SMTH is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by ALPS. ELFY is passively managed, while SMTH is actively managed. Over the past year, ELFY returned 47.53% vs 5.19% for SMTH. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ELFY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SMTH.

Performance

ELFY vs. SMTH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) and ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ELFY achieves a 29.07% return, which is significantly higher than SMTH's 0.34% return.

ELFY

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 29.07%
• 6M: 26.90%
• 1Y: 47.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMTH

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 0.34%
• 6M: 0.02%
• 1Y: 5.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ELFY vs. SMTH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	29.07%	35.82%
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	0.34%	6.02%

Correlation

The correlation between ELFY and SMTH is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2025	0.23

ELFY vs. SMTH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ELFY	SMTH
Utilities	33.9%	-
Industrials	31.3%	-
Technology	18.1%	-
Energy	13.1%	100.0%
Basic Materials	3.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ELFY vs. SMTH — Risk / Return Rank

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

ELFY

ELFY Risk / Return Rank: 79
ELFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
ELFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ELFY Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ELFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
ELFY Martin Ratio Rank: 86

SMTH

SMTH Risk / Return Rank: 38
SMTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SMTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SMTH Omega Ratio Rank: 35
SMTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SMTH Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

ELFY vs. SMTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) and ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH). 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.

	ELFY	SMTH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	1.34	+1.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	2.05	+1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.24	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.70	1.90	+3.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.16	5.72	+12.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ELFY vs. SMTH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ELFY Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the SMTH Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ELFY and SMTH, 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

	ELFY	SMTH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	1.34	+1.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.36	1.19	+2.17

Drawdowns

ELFY vs. SMTH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ELFY drawdown since its inception was -8.37%, which is greater than SMTH's maximum drawdown of -4.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ELFY and SMTH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ELFY	SMTH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.37%	-4.11%	-4.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.37%	-2.74%	-5.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-1.41%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.60%	-1.06%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	0.91%	+1.71%

Volatility

ELFY vs. SMTH - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) has a higher volatility of 7.28% compared to ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) at 1.31%. This indicates that ELFY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMTH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ELFY	SMTH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.28%	1.31%	+5.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.87%	2.66%	+12.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.98%	3.88%	+15.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.99%	4.59%	+14.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.99%	4.59%	+14.40%

ELFY vs. SMTH - Expense Ratio Comparison

ELFY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than SMTH's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

ELFY vs. SMTH - Dividend Comparison

ELFY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than SMTH's 4.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	0.82%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	4.40%	4.46%	4.58%	0.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ELFY and SMTH in my portfolio?

ELFY and SMTH have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ELFY or SMTH?

ELFY has higher volatility (7.28%) compared to SMTH (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ELFY dropped -8.37% vs SMTH's -4.11%.

Which ETF is better, ELFY or SMTH?

On 1-year performance, ELFY leads with 47.53% vs 5.19% for SMTH. On fees, ELFY is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SMTH has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ELFY or SMTH?

Over the 1-year period, ELFY has performed better with a 47.53% return vs 5.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ELFY or SMTH?

ELFY is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for SMTH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ELFY or SMTH?

SMTH has the higher dividend yield at 4.40%, compared with 0.82% for ELFY.

What is the main difference between ELFY and SMTH?

ELFY is categorized as Utilities Equities, while SMTH is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ELFY and 0.59% for SMTH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ELFY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.34), 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.