SMDX vs. ALTY
SMDX (Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF) and ALTY (Global X Alternative Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMDX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Intech, while ALTY is a Global Allocation fund tracking the Indxx SuperDividend Alternatives Index. SMDX is actively managed, while ALTY is passively managed. Over the past year, SMDX returned 28.25% vs 15.73% for ALTY. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMDX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for ALTY.
Performance
SMDX vs. ALTY - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMDX achieves a 13.72% return, which is significantly higher than ALTY's 6.19% return.
SMDX
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- 2.07%
- YTD
- 13.72%
- 6M
- 13.55%
- 1Y
- 28.25%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ALTY
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 0.31%
- YTD
- 6.19%
- 6M
- 6.51%
- 1Y
- 15.73%
- 3Y*
- 11.40%
- 5Y*
- 5.55%
- 10Y*
- 6.16%
SMDX vs. ALTY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
SMDX Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF | 13.72% | 14.21% |
ALTY Global X Alternative Income ETF | 6.19% | 6.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between SMDX and ALTY is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2025 | 0.71 |
The correlation between SMDX and ALTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SMDX vs. ALTY — Risk / Return Rank
SMDX
ALTY
SMDX vs. ALTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) and Global X Alternative Income ETF (ALTY). 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.
| SMDX | ALTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.54 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.28 | 3.64 | -0.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.40 | 16.84 | -5.44 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SMDX | ALTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.72 | 2.73 | -1.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.53 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.37 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.10 | 0.33 | +0.76 |
Drawdowns
SMDX vs. ALTY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMDX drawdown since its inception was -14.52%, smaller than the maximum ALTY drawdown of -51.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMDX and ALTY.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SMDX | ALTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.52% | -51.47% | +36.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.66% | -4.34% | -4.32% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -10.08% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.48% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -51.47% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.56% | -0.37% | -0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.39% | -6.75% | +4.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.49% | 0.94% | +1.55% |
Volatility
SMDX vs. ALTY - Volatility Comparison
Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) has a higher volatility of 4.26% compared to Global X Alternative Income ETF (ALTY) at 1.41%. This indicates that SMDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ALTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SMDX | ALTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.26% | 1.41% | +2.85% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.50% | 4.38% | +7.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.56% | 5.79% | +10.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.19% | 10.61% | +10.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.19% | 16.58% | +4.61% |
SMDX vs. ALTY - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMDX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than ALTY's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
SMDX vs. ALTY - Dividend Comparison
SMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than ALTY's 8.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALTY Global X Alternative Income ETF | 8.08% | 7.50% | 7.88% | 7.31% | 7.66% | 6.88% | 9.20% | 8.74% | 8.49% | 7.52% | 8.20% | 4.21% |
SMDX Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF | 0.53% | 0.61% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SMDX and ALTY have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SMDX has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to ALTY (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMDX dropped -14.52% vs ALTY's -51.47%.
On 1-year performance, SMDX leads with 28.25% vs 15.73% for ALTY. On fees, SMDX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, ALTY has been the lower-risk option at 1.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, SMDX has performed better with a 28.25% return vs 15.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SMDX is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for ALTY.
ALTY has the higher dividend yield at 8.08%, compared with 0.53% for SMDX.
SMDX is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while ALTY is Global Allocation. They also come from different issuers: Intech and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMDX and 0.50% for ALTY.
ALTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.72), 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.
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