SYSB vs. SMTH
SYSB (iShares Systematic Bond ETF) and SMTH (ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. SYSB is passively managed, while SMTH is actively managed. Over the past year, SYSB returned 5.08% vs 4.65% for SMTH. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SYSB charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SMTH.
Performance
SYSB vs. SMTH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SYSB achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly lower than SMTH's 0.56% return.
SYSB
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.72%
- YTD
- 0.43%
- 6M
- 0.54%
- 1Y
- 5.08%
- 3Y*
- 6.83%
- 5Y*
- 1.57%
- 10Y*
- 2.28%
SMTH
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- 0.65%
- YTD
- 0.56%
- 6M
- 0.68%
- 1Y
- 4.65%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SYSB vs. SMTH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF | 0.43% | 8.32% | 6.04% | 1.96% |
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF | 0.56% | 6.86% | 2.76% | 3.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between SYSB and SMTH is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2023 | 0.75 |
The correlation between SYSB and SMTH shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (all time) to 0.86 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SYSB vs. SMTH — Risk / Return Rank
SYSB
SMTH
SYSB vs. SMTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) and ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH). 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.
| SYSB | SMTH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.21 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.71 | 1.70 | 0.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.90 | 4.90 | 0.00 |
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Drawdowns
SYSB vs. SMTH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SYSB drawdown since its inception was -18.47%, which is greater than SMTH's maximum drawdown of -4.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYSB and SMTH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SYSB | SMTH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.47% | -4.11% | -14.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.99% | -2.74% | -0.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.08% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.47% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.47% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.42% | -1.19% | -0.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.27% | -1.06% | -2.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.04% | 0.95% | +0.09% |
Volatility
SYSB vs. SMTH - Volatility Comparison
iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) has a higher volatility of 1.23% compared to ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) at 1.02%. This indicates that SYSB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMTH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SYSB | SMTH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.23% | 1.02% | +0.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.20% | 2.74% | +0.46% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.91% | 3.82% | +0.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.64% | 4.58% | +1.06% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.94% | 4.58% | +0.36% |
SYSB vs. SMTH - Expense Ratio Comparison
SYSB has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SMTH's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
SYSB vs. SMTH - Dividend Comparison
SYSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.60%, more than SMTH's 4.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF | 4.38% | 4.46% | 4.58% | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF | 4.60% | 4.78% | 5.04% | 4.44% | 3.27% | 1.92% | 2.57% | 3.27% | 3.61% | 2.74% | 2.92% | 2.26% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SYSB and SMTH have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SYSB has higher volatility (1.23%) compared to SMTH (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYSB dropped -18.47% vs SMTH's -4.11%.
On 1-year performance, SYSB leads with 5.08% vs 4.65% for SMTH. On fees, SYSB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, SMTH has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, SYSB has performed better with a 5.08% return vs 4.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SYSB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for SMTH.
SYSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.60%, compared with 4.38% for SMTH.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and ALPS. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SYSB and 0.59% for SMTH.
SYSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs 1.23), 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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