SMTH vs. ALIBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMTH (ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF) and ALIBX (ALPS/Smith Balanced Opportunity Fund) are both funds - SMTH is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by ALPS, while ALIBX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by ALPS. Over the past year, SMTH returned 5.19% vs 21.06% for ALIBX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMTH charges 0.59%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for ALIBX.

Performance

SMTH vs. ALIBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) and ALPS/Smith Balanced Opportunity Fund (ALIBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMTH achieves a 0.34% return, which is significantly lower than ALIBX's 7.75% return.

SMTH

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 0.34%
• 6M: 0.02%
• 1Y: 5.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ALIBX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 6M: 7.85%
• 1Y: 21.06%
• 3Y*: 14.56%
• 5Y*: 7.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

SMTH vs. ALIBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	0.34%	6.86%	2.76%	3.49%
ALIBX ALPS/Smith Balanced Opportunity Fund	7.75%	12.89%	14.89%	3.86%

Correlation

The correlation between SMTH and ALIBX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.38

Return for Risk

SMTH vs. ALIBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMTH

SMTH Risk / Return Rank: 38
SMTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SMTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SMTH Omega Ratio Rank: 35
SMTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SMTH Martin Ratio Rank: 37

ALIBX

ALIBX Risk / Return Rank: 67
ALIBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ALIBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ALIBX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
ALIBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ALIBX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

SMTH vs. ALIBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) and ALPS/Smith Balanced Opportunity Fund (ALIBX). 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.

	SMTH	ALIBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	2.43	-1.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	3.50	-1.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.45	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	3.02	-1.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.72	13.77	-8.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMTH vs. ALIBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMTH Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the ALIBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMTH and ALIBX, 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

	SMTH	ALIBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	2.43	-1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.19	0.90	+0.29

Drawdowns

SMTH vs. ALIBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMTH drawdown since its inception was -4.11%, smaller than the maximum ALIBX drawdown of -20.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMTH and ALIBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMTH	ALIBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-20.38%	+16.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.74%	-7.13%	+4.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.65%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.38%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.41%	-0.44%	-0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.06%	-4.75%	+3.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	1.56%	-0.65%

Volatility

SMTH vs. ALIBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) is 1.31%, while ALPS/Smith Balanced Opportunity Fund (ALIBX) has a volatility of 2.69%. This indicates that SMTH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ALIBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMTH	ALIBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	2.69%	-1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.66%	7.10%	-4.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.88%	8.86%	-4.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.59%	11.17%	-6.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.59%	11.01%	-6.42%

SMTH vs. ALIBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMTH has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than ALIBX's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMTH vs. ALIBX - Dividend Comparison

SMTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.40%, less than ALIBX's 8.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ALIBX ALPS/Smith Balanced Opportunity Fund	8.45%	9.14%	10.61%	1.37%	1.08%	0.56%	0.12%
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	4.40%	4.46%	4.58%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMTH and ALIBX in my portfolio?

SMTH and ALIBX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMTH or ALIBX?

ALIBX has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to SMTH (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMTH dropped -4.11% vs ALIBX's -20.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALIBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.34), 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.