SMTH vs. MNBD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SMTH (ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF) and MNBD (ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMTH is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by ALPS, while MNBD is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by ALPS. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMTH returned 2.02% vs 3.93% for MNBD. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SMTH charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for MNBD.

Performance

SMTH vs. MNBD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMTH achieves a -0.32% return, which is significantly lower than MNBD's 0.65% return.

SMTH

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -1.13%
• 6M: -0.35%
• YTD: -0.32%
• 1Y: 2.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.92%

MNBD

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -1.28%
• 6M: -0.33%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 1Y: 3.93%
• 3Y*: 4.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.16%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MNBD ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF	$162.80K	$123.01K	$162.44K
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	$8.66M	$9.56M	$10.10M

SMTH vs. MNBD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	-0.32%	6.86%	2.76%	3.80%
MNBD ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF	0.65%	5.15%	2.41%	1.52%

Correlation

The correlation between SMTH and MNBD is 0.58, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2023	0.66

The correlation between SMTH and MNBD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMTH vs. MNBD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SMTH

SMTH Risk / Return Rank: 23
SMTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
SMTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
SMTH Omega Ratio Rank: 21
SMTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
SMTH Martin Ratio Rank: 24

MNBD

MNBD Risk / Return Rank: 54
MNBD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
MNBD Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
MNBD Omega Ratio Rank: 66
MNBD Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
MNBD Martin Ratio Rank: 42

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SMTH vs. MNBD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) and ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF (MNBD). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SMTH	MNBD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	1.54	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.83	2.14	-1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.30	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.74	1.66	-0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.88	4.85	-2.97

SMTH vs. MNBD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMTH Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is lower than the MNBD Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMTH and MNBD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SMTH vs. MNBD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMTH drawdown since its inception was -4.11%, smaller than the maximum MNBD drawdown of -5.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMTH and MNBD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMTH	MNBD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-5.89%	+1.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.74%	-2.38%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.06%	-1.58%	-0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.08%	-1.08%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	0.81%	+0.27%

Volatility

SMTH vs. MNBD - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) has a higher volatility of 0.96% compared to ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF (MNBD) at 0.87%. This indicates that SMTH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MNBD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMTH	MNBD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	0.87%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.86%	1.97%	+0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.60%	2.57%	+1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.53%	3.74%	+0.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.53%	3.74%	+0.79%

SMTH vs. MNBD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMTH has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than MNBD's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMTH vs. MNBD - Dividend Comparison

SMTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, more than MNBD's 3.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
MNBD ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF	3.36%	3.32%	3.83%	3.44%	2.40%
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	4.43%	4.46%	4.58%	0.24%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMTH and MNBD in my portfolio?

SMTH and MNBD have a correlation of 0.58, 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 MNBD?

SMTH has higher volatility (0.96%) compared to MNBD (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMTH dropped -4.11% vs MNBD's -5.89%.

Which ETF is better, SMTH or MNBD?

On 1-year performance, MNBD leads with 3.93% vs 2.02% for SMTH. On fees, MNBD is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMTH or MNBD?

Over the 1-year period, MNBD has performed better with a 3.93% return vs 2.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMTH or MNBD?

MNBD is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for SMTH.

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

SMTH has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 3.36% for MNBD.

What is the main difference between SMTH and MNBD?

SMTH is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while MNBD is Municipal Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for SMTH and 0.50% for MNBD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MNBD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 0.57), 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.