NOFIX vs. SMTRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NOFIX (Northern Fixed Income Fund) and SMTRX (ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NOFIX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for SMTRX.

Performance

NOFIX vs. SMTRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Fixed Income Fund (NOFIX) and ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund (SMTRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

NOFIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 0.15%
• 6M: 0.11%
• 1Y: 5.53%
• 3Y*: 3.74%
• 5Y*: -0.35%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

SMTRX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NOFIX vs. SMTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
NOFIX Northern Fixed Income Fund	0.00%
SMTRX ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund	0.10%

Correlation

The correlation between NOFIX and SMTRX is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2026	0.87

Return for Risk

NOFIX vs. SMTRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOFIX

NOFIX Risk / Return Rank: 24
NOFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
NOFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
NOFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
NOFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
NOFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

NOFIX vs. SMTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Fixed Income Fund (NOFIX) and ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund (SMTRX). 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.

	NOFIX	SMTRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.32	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NOFIX	SMTRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	5.86	-4.98

Drawdowns

NOFIX vs. SMTRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOFIX drawdown since its inception was -20.04%, which is greater than SMTRX's maximum drawdown of -0.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOFIX and SMTRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOFIX	SMTRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.04%	-0.10%	-19.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.04%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.33%	0.00%	-4.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.55%	-0.03%	-2.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NOFIX	SMTRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.36%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.94%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.02%	1.90%	+2.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.98%	1.90%	+4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.95%	1.90%	+3.05%

NOFIX vs. SMTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NOFIX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than SMTRX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

NOFIX vs. SMTRX - Dividend Comparison

NOFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, more than SMTRX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOFIX Northern Fixed Income Fund	4.17%	3.24%	3.93%	3.11%	1.91%	2.17%	2.77%	3.03%	3.64%	3.33%	2.53%	3.02%
SMTRX ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOFIX and SMTRX in my portfolio?

NOFIX and SMTRX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.