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SMTH vs. BYLD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SMTH vs. BYLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMTH (ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF) and BYLD (iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. SMTH is actively managed, while BYLD is passively managed. Over the past year, SMTH returned 5.19% vs 7.01% for BYLD. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMTH charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for BYLD.

Performance

SMTH vs. BYLD - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMTH achieves a 0.34% return, which is significantly lower than BYLD's 1.23% return.

SMTH

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

BYLD

1D
-0.18%
1M
0.61%
YTD
1.23%
6M
1.35%
1Y
7.01%
3Y*
6.49%
5Y*
2.21%
10Y*
3.01%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SMTH vs. BYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023
SMTH
ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF		0.34%6.86%2.76%3.49%
BYLD
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF		1.23%8.41%4.17%2.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SMTH and BYLD is 0.79, 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

0.79

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023

0.79

The correlation between SMTH and BYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

SMTH vs. BYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SMTH
BYLD

Energy

100.0%
99.2%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

0.8%

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Energy

SMTH
100.0%
BYLD
99.2%

Basic Materials

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Communication Services

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Consumer Cyclical

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Consumer Defensive

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Financial Services

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Healthcare

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Industrials

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Real Estate

SMTH

-

BYLD
0.8%

Technology

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Utilities

SMTH

-

BYLD

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF

iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF

Often compared with SMTH:
SMTH vs. ALIBXSMTH vs. UBNDSMTH vs. VOOSMTH vs. DODIXSMTH vs. SCHGSMTH vs. BONDSMTH vs. JPIE
Often compared with BYLD:
BYLD vs. IGEBBYLD vs. FBNDBYLD vs. BONDBYLD vs. TOTLBYLD vs. BNDBYLD vs. USHYBYLD vs. AGG

Return for Risk

SMTH vs. BYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SMTH
SMTH Risk / Return Rank: 3838
Overall Rank
SMTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3838
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMTH Omega Ratio Rank: 3535
Omega Ratio Rank
SMTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMTH Martin Ratio Rank: 3737
Martin Ratio Rank
BYLD
BYLD Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
BYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5353
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
BYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
BYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
BYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
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. BYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) and iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD). 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.

SMTHBYLDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.34
1.85

-0.50

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.05
2.76

-0.71

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.35

-0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.90

2.60

-0.70

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.72

10.54

-4.82

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMTH vs. BYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMTH Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is comparable to the BYLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMTH and BYLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

SMTHBYLDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.34

1.85

-0.50

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.43

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.56

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

1.19

0.57

+0.62

Drawdowns

SMTH vs. BYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMTH drawdown since its inception was -4.11%, smaller than the maximum BYLD drawdown of -14.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMTH and BYLD.

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Drawdown Indicators

SMTHBYLDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-4.11%

-14.75%

+10.64%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.74%

-2.71%

-0.03%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

—

-3.94%

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-14.65%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-14.75%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.41%

-0.34%

-1.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.06%

-2.51%

+1.45%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.91%

0.67%

+0.24%

Volatility

SMTH vs. BYLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) is 1.31%, while iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) has a volatility of 1.42%. This indicates that SMTH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SMTHBYLDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.31%

1.42%

-0.11%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.66%

2.94%

-0.28%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.88%

3.82%

+0.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

4.59%

5.20%

-0.61%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.59%

5.43%

-0.84%

SMTH vs. BYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMTH has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than BYLD's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMTH vs. BYLD - Dividend Comparison

SMTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.40%, less than BYLD's 5.36% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BYLD
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF		5.36%5.32%5.31%4.45%3.39%2.18%3.41%3.67%4.22%3.22%3.14%3.37%
SMTH
ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF		4.40%4.46%4.58%0.24%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

SMTH and BYLD have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

BYLD has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to SMTH (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMTH dropped -4.11% vs BYLD's -14.75%.

On 1-year performance, BYLD leads with 7.01% vs 5.19% for SMTH. On fees, BYLD is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, SMTH has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 1-year period, BYLD has performed better with a 7.01% return vs 5.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

BYLD is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for SMTH.

BYLD has the higher dividend yield at 5.36%, compared with 4.40% for SMTH.

They also come from different issuers: ALPS and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for SMTH and 0.17% for BYLD.

BYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 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.

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