SMARX vs. JMABX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMARX (Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust) and JMABX (John Hancock Managed Account Shares Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Portfolio) are both Corporate Bonds funds from BlackRock. Over the past 5 years, SMARX returned 1.95%/yr vs 1.35%/yr for JMABX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.00% expense ratio.

Performance

SMARX vs. JMABX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust (SMARX) and John Hancock Managed Account Shares Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Portfolio (JMABX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMARX achieves a 0.74% return, which is significantly lower than JMABX's 0.84% return.

SMARX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 0.74%
• 6M: 0.67%
• 1Y: 5.39%
• 3Y*: 5.59%
• 5Y*: 1.95%
• 10Y*: 3.02%

JMABX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 6M: 1.08%
• 1Y: 7.08%
• 3Y*: 6.34%
• 5Y*: 1.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

SMARX vs. JMABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SMARX Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust	0.74%	6.91%	3.73%	9.76%	-11.77%	0.76%	6.55%	1.80%
JMABX John Hancock Managed Account Shares Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Portfolio	0.84%	8.88%	4.42%	8.05%	-15.50%	0.33%	7.74%	2.72%

Correlation

The correlation between SMARX and JMABX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2019	0.87

The correlation between SMARX and JMABX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMARX vs. JMABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMARX

SMARX Risk / Return Rank: 28
SMARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
SMARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
SMARX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
SMARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
SMARX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

JMABX

JMABX Risk / Return Rank: 48
JMABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
JMABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
JMABX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
JMABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
JMABX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

SMARX vs. JMABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust (SMARX) and John Hancock Managed Account Shares Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Portfolio (JMABX). 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.

	SMARX	JMABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.01	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	3.19	-1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.39	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	2.50	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.20	9.02	-1.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMARX vs. JMABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMARX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the JMABX Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMARX and JMABX, 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

	SMARX	JMABX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	2.01	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.24	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.38	+0.04

Drawdowns

SMARX vs. JMABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMARX drawdown since its inception was -47.07%, which is greater than JMABX's maximum drawdown of -21.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMARX and JMABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMARX	JMABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.07%	-21.48%	-25.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.61%	-2.89%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.19%	-5.71%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.20%	-21.48%	+5.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-0.63%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.97%	-6.19%	-0.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	0.80%	-0.05%

Volatility

SMARX vs. JMABX - Volatility Comparison

Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust (SMARX) has a higher volatility of 1.35% compared to John Hancock Managed Account Shares Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Portfolio (JMABX) at 1.21%. This indicates that SMARX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JMABX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMARX	JMABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	1.21%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.84%	2.58%	+0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.75%	3.60%	+0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.16%	5.54%	-0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.39%	5.88%	-1.49%

SMARX vs. JMABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMARX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than JMABX's 0.00% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SMARX vs. JMABX - Dividend Comparison

SMARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.77%, less than JMABX's 5.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JMABX John Hancock Managed Account Shares Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Portfolio	5.62%	5.59%	5.26%	3.59%	3.28%	3.99%	2.74%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMARX Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust	4.77%	5.02%	4.07%	3.85%	3.53%	2.57%	3.35%	4.19%	4.55%	4.20%	4.87%	5.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMARX and JMABX in my portfolio?

SMARX and JMABX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMARX or JMABX?

SMARX has higher volatility (1.35%) compared to JMABX (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMARX dropped -47.07% vs JMABX's -21.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JMABX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.44), 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.