NPCT vs. SMTRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NPCT (Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund) and SMTRX (ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NPCT charges 5.08%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for SMTRX.

Performance

NPCT vs. SMTRX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

NPCT

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: -4.71%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: -0.13%
• 1Y: 1.71%
• 3Y*: 11.99%
• 5Y*: -3.29%
• 10Y*: —

SMTRX

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

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

NPCT vs. SMTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
NPCT Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund	-1.69%
SMTRX ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund	0.10%

Correlation

The correlation between NPCT and SMTRX is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2026	0.74

Return for Risk

NPCT vs. SMTRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NPCT

NPCT Risk / Return Rank: 4
NPCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Omega Ratio Rank: 3
NPCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

NPCT vs. SMTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT) 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.

	NPCT	SMTRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.17	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.25	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.64	—	—
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

	NPCT	SMTRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.25	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.26	5.86	-6.12

Drawdowns

NPCT vs. SMTRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NPCT drawdown since its inception was -46.77%, which is greater than SMTRX's maximum drawdown of -0.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NPCT and SMTRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NPCT	SMTRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.77%	-0.10%	-46.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.79%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.59%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.77%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.10%	0.00%	-17.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.23%	-0.03%	-25.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NPCT	SMTRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.26%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.15%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.83%	1.90%	+7.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.12%	1.90%	+11.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.07%	1.90%	+11.17%

NPCT vs. SMTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NPCT has a 5.08% expense ratio, which is higher than SMTRX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

NPCT vs. SMTRX - Dividend Comparison

NPCT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.50%, more than SMTRX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NPCT Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund	12.50%	13.15%	12.20%	10.28%	11.93%	3.94%
SMTRX ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NPCT and SMTRX in my portfolio?

NPCT and SMTRX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.