TIBDX vs. SMTRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TIBDX (TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund) and SMTRX (ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TIBDX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for SMTRX.

Performance

TIBDX vs. SMTRX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

TIBDX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 0.67%
• 6M: 0.72%
• 1Y: 6.03%
• 3Y*: 4.33%
• 5Y*: 0.25%
• 10Y*: 1.99%

SMTRX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TIBDX vs. SMTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
TIBDX TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund	0.38%
SMTRX ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund	0.10%

Correlation

The correlation between TIBDX and SMTRX is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2026	0.50

Return for Risk

TIBDX vs. SMTRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIBDX

TIBDX Risk / Return Rank: 30
TIBDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
TIBDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
TIBDX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
TIBDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TIBDX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

TIBDX vs. SMTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	TIBDX	SMTRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.36	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TIBDX	SMTRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	5.86	-4.91

Drawdowns

TIBDX vs. SMTRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIBDX drawdown since its inception was -18.82%, which is greater than SMTRX's maximum drawdown of -0.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIBDX and SMTRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIBDX	SMTRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.82%	-0.10%	-18.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.98%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.22%	0.00%	-1.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-0.03%	-2.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TIBDX	SMTRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90%	1.90%	+2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.63%	1.90%	+3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.73%	1.90%	+2.83%

TIBDX vs. SMTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIBDX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than SMTRX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIBDX vs. SMTRX - Dividend Comparison

TIBDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than SMTRX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMTRX ALPS/Smith Total Return Bond Fund	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TIBDX TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund	4.45%	4.34%	3.60%	3.22%	2.44%	2.39%	4.45%	3.09%	2.88%	2.93%	3.80%	4.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIBDX and SMTRX in my portfolio?

TIBDX and SMTRX have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.