NBSM vs. TPLC

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

NBSM (Neuberger Small-Mid Cap ETF) and TPLC (Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. NBSM is actively managed, while TPLC is passively managed. Over the past year, NBSM returned 11.14% vs 12.08% for TPLC. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NBSM charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for TPLC.

Performance

NBSM vs. TPLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Small-Mid Cap ETF (NBSM) and Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund (TPLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with NBSM having a 11.93% return and TPLC slightly lower at 11.40%.

NBSM

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 3.44%
• 6M: 6.71%
• YTD: 11.93%
• 1Y: 11.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TPLC

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 1.38%
• 6M: 7.47%
• YTD: 11.40%
• 1Y: 12.08%
• 3Y*: 12.44%
• 5Y*: 8.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

NBSM vs. TPLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NBSM Neuberger Small-Mid Cap ETF	11.93%	-0.04%	0.03%
TPLC Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund	11.40%	7.08%	3.85%

Correlation

The correlation between NBSM and TPLC is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2024	0.91

The correlation between NBSM and TPLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

NBSM vs. TPLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NBSM	TPLC
Industrials	27.0%	22.6%
Technology	17.4%	19.0%
Financial Services	17.1%	11.6%
Healthcare	11.6%	9.5%
Energy	7.0%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	8.6%
Utilities	5.0%	11.0%
Communication Services	2.6%	0.3%
Real Estate	2.4%	0.2%
Basic Materials	2.1%	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	3.6%

Return for Risk

NBSM vs. TPLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBSM

NBSM Risk / Return Rank: 26
NBSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
NBSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
NBSM Omega Ratio Rank: 23
NBSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
NBSM Martin Ratio Rank: 29

TPLC

TPLC Risk / Return Rank: 38
TPLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
TPLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TPLC Omega Ratio Rank: 33
TPLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
TPLC Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

NBSM vs. TPLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Small-Mid Cap ETF (NBSM) and Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund (TPLC). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	NBSM	TPLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	1.04	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	1.56	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.18	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	1.60	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.30	5.69	-2.39

NBSM vs. TPLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBSM Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is comparable to the TPLC Sharpe Ratio of 1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBSM and TPLC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NBSM vs. TPLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBSM drawdown since its inception was -25.16%, smaller than the maximum TPLC drawdown of -38.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBSM and TPLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBSM	TPLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.16%	-38.02%	+12.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.12%	-7.58%	-2.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.63%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.60%	-0.54%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.19%	-5.23%	-1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	2.13%	+1.25%

Volatility

NBSM vs. TPLC - Volatility Comparison

Neuberger Small-Mid Cap ETF (NBSM) has a higher volatility of 4.84% compared to Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund (TPLC) at 2.71%. This indicates that NBSM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TPLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBSM	TPLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.84%	2.71%	+2.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.18%	8.46%	+2.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.29%	11.64%	+3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.00%	16.14%	+1.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.00%	19.79%	-1.79%

NBSM vs. TPLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBSM has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than TPLC's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBSM vs. TPLC - Dividend Comparison

NBSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than TPLC's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NBSM Neuberger Small-Mid Cap ETF	0.36%	0.40%	0.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TPLC Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund	0.83%	0.89%	0.88%	0.89%	1.06%	0.61%	0.81%	0.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBSM and TPLC in my portfolio?

NBSM and TPLC have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NBSM or TPLC?

NBSM has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to TPLC (2.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBSM dropped -25.16% vs TPLC's -38.02%.

Which ETF is better, NBSM or TPLC?

On 1-year performance, TPLC leads with 12.08% vs 11.14% for NBSM. On fees, TPLC is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, TPLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NBSM or TPLC?

Over the 1-year period, TPLC has performed better with a 12.08% return vs 11.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NBSM or TPLC?

TPLC is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for NBSM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NBSM or TPLC?

TPLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.36% for NBSM.

What is the main difference between NBSM and TPLC?

They also come from different issuers: Neuberger Berman and Timothy Plan. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for NBSM and 0.52% for TPLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TPLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.04 vs 0.73), 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.