SMTRX vs. TGRNX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund (SMTRX) and TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX).

SMTRX is managed by ALPS. It was launched on Jun 29, 2018. TGRNX is managed by TIAA Investments. It was launched on Nov 16, 2018.

Performance

SMTRX vs. TGRNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund (SMTRX) and TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SMTRX vs. TGRNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SMTRX ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund	-0.26%	6.80%	2.19%	5.94%	-13.49%	-1.33%	9.38%	7.10%	0.00%
TGRNX TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund	-0.50%	6.76%	3.08%	5.73%	-13.43%	-0.60%	8.57%	9.15%	1.43%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMTRX achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly higher than TGRNX's -0.50% return.

SMTRX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: -1.50%
• YTD: -0.26%
• 6M: 0.26%
• 1Y: 3.51%
• 3Y*: 3.93%
• 5Y*: 0.17%
• 10Y*: —

TGRNX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: -0.50%
• 6M: 0.25%
• 1Y: 3.91%
• 3Y*: 3.90%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: —

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

SMTRX vs. TGRNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMTRX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than TGRNX's 0.45% expense ratio.

SMTRX

ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund

TGRNX

TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund

Return for Risk

SMTRX vs. TGRNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMTRX

SMTRX Risk / Return Rank: 36
SMTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
SMTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
SMTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
SMTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SMTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

TGRNX

TGRNX Risk / Return Rank: 64
TGRNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
TGRNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
TGRNX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
TGRNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
TGRNX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

SMTRX vs. TGRNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund (SMTRX) and TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX). 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.

	SMTRX	TGRNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	1.25	-0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	1.83	-0.54
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.23	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	2.02	-0.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.38	7.18	-2.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMTRX vs. TGRNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMTRX Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is comparable to the TGRNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMTRX and TGRNX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMTRX	TGRNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91	1.25	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.08	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.51	-0.13

Correlation

The correlation between SMTRX and TGRNX is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SMTRX vs. TGRNX - Dividend Comparison

SMTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, more than TGRNX's 3.97% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SMTRX ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund	4.21%	4.16%	4.27%	3.82%	1.51%	1.23%	3.31%	1.77%	0.00%
TGRNX TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund	3.97%	4.31%	4.48%	3.30%	2.69%	2.76%	4.20%	4.38%	0.43%

Drawdowns

SMTRX vs. TGRNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMTRX drawdown since its inception was -18.11%, roughly equal to the maximum TGRNX drawdown of -17.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMTRX and TGRNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMTRX	TGRNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.11%	-17.85%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.77%	-2.47%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.11%	-17.85%	-0.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.90%	-1.94%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-5.32%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	0.69%	+0.23%

Volatility

SMTRX vs. TGRNX - Volatility Comparison

ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund (SMTRX) has a higher volatility of 1.61% compared to TIAA-CREF Green Bond Fund (TGRNX) at 1.13%. This indicates that SMTRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TGRNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMTRX	TGRNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.61%	1.13%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.46%	2.06%	+0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12%	3.36%	+0.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.34%	4.82%	+0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.83%	4.84%	-0.01%