REIT vs. SMTH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

REIT (ALPS Active REIT ETF) and SMTH (ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REIT is a REIT fund actively managed by ALPS, while SMTH is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by ALPS. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, REIT returned 13.01% vs 5.50% for SMTH. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. REIT charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SMTH.

Performance

REIT vs. SMTH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) 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, REIT achieves a 12.74% return, which is significantly higher than SMTH's 0.55% return.

REIT

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 12.74%
• 6M: 12.18%
• 1Y: 13.01%
• 3Y*: 10.36%
• 5Y*: 4.38%
• 10Y*: —

SMTH

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 0.55%
• 6M: 0.42%
• 1Y: 5.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

REIT vs. SMTH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	12.74%	-0.55%	7.11%	7.59%
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	0.55%	6.86%	2.76%	3.49%

Correlation

The correlation between REIT and SMTH is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.38

REIT vs. SMTH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REIT	SMTH
Real Estate	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

REIT vs. SMTH — Risk / Return Rank

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

REIT

REIT Risk / Return Rank: 30
REIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
REIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
REIT Omega Ratio Rank: 27
REIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
REIT Martin Ratio Rank: 35

SMTH

SMTH Risk / Return Rank: 38
SMTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SMTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SMTH Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SMTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
SMTH Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

REIT vs. SMTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) 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.

	REIT	SMTH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	1.42	-0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	2.18	-0.76
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.25	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.81	1.88	-0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.26	5.71	-0.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

REIT vs. SMTH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is comparable to the SMTH Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REIT 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

	REIT	SMTH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	1.42	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	1.21	-0.82

Drawdowns

REIT vs. SMTH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REIT drawdown since its inception was -29.30%, which is greater than SMTH's maximum drawdown of -4.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REIT and SMTH.

Drawdown Indicators

	REIT	SMTH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.30%	-4.11%	-25.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.35%	-2.74%	-4.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.19%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.70%	-1.20%	-1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.39%	-1.05%	-9.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	0.91%	+1.62%

Volatility

REIT vs. SMTH - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) at 1.32%. This indicates that REIT'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

	REIT	SMTH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	1.32%	+2.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	2.69%	+6.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	3.89%	+8.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.45%	4.59%	+13.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.38%	4.59%	+13.79%

REIT vs. SMTH - Expense Ratio Comparison

REIT has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than SMTH's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

REIT vs. SMTH - Dividend Comparison

REIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, less than SMTH's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	2.80%	3.20%	3.06%	3.13%	2.81%	4.71%
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	4.39%	4.46%	4.58%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REIT and SMTH in my portfolio?

REIT and SMTH have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REIT or SMTH?

REIT has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to SMTH (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REIT dropped -29.30% vs SMTH's -4.11%.

Which ETF is better, REIT or SMTH?

On 1-year performance, REIT leads with 13.01% vs 5.50% for SMTH. On fees, SMTH is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, SMTH has been the lower-risk option at 1.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REIT or SMTH?

Over the 1-year period, REIT has performed better with a 13.01% return vs 5.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REIT or SMTH?

SMTH is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for REIT.

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

SMTH has the higher dividend yield at 4.39%, compared with 2.80% for REIT.

What is the main difference between REIT and SMTH?

REIT is categorized as REIT, while SMTH is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for REIT and 0.59% for SMTH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.02), 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.