UBND vs. SMTH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

UBND (VictoryShares Core Plus Intermediate Bond ETF) and SMTH (ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, UBND returned 5.73% vs 5.50% for SMTH. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UBND charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SMTH.

Performance

UBND vs. SMTH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UBND achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than SMTH's 0.55% return.

UBND

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.71%
• 1Y: 5.73%
• 3Y*: 4.98%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMTH

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 0.55%
• 6M: 0.42%
• 1Y: 5.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

UBND vs. SMTH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
UBND VictoryShares Core Plus Intermediate Bond ETF	0.42%	7.79%	3.04%	2.11%
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	0.55%	6.86%	2.76%	3.49%

Correlation

The correlation between UBND and SMTH is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.88

The correlation between UBND and SMTH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

UBND vs. SMTH — Risk / Return Rank

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

UBND

UBND Risk / Return Rank: 44
UBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
UBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
UBND Omega Ratio Rank: 46
UBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
UBND Martin Ratio Rank: 40

SMTH

SMTH Risk / Return Rank: 38
SMTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SMTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SMTH Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SMTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
SMTH Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

UBND vs. SMTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares Core Plus Intermediate Bond ETF (UBND) 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.

	UBND	SMTH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.42	+0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	2.18	+0.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.25	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	1.88	+0.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.61	5.71	+0.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UBND vs. SMTH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UBND Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the SMTH Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UBND and SMTH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	UBND	SMTH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	1.42	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	1.21	-1.04

Drawdowns

UBND vs. SMTH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UBND drawdown since its inception was -16.53%, which is greater than SMTH's maximum drawdown of -4.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UBND and SMTH.

Drawdown Indicators

	UBND	SMTH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.53%	-4.11%	-12.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.62%	-2.74%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	-1.20%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.45%	-1.05%	-4.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.82%	0.91%	-0.09%

Volatility

UBND vs. SMTH - Volatility Comparison

VictoryShares Core Plus Intermediate Bond ETF (UBND) and ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) have volatilities of 1.26% and 1.32%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UBND	SMTH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.26%	1.32%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.44%	2.69%	-0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.55%	3.89%	-0.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.80%	4.59%	+1.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.80%	4.59%	+1.21%

UBND vs. SMTH - Expense Ratio Comparison

UBND has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than SMTH's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

UBND vs. SMTH - Dividend Comparison

UBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%, more than SMTH's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SMTH ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF	4.39%	4.46%	4.58%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%
UBND VictoryShares Core Plus Intermediate Bond ETF	4.76%	4.56%	4.63%	4.37%	3.28%	0.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UBND and SMTH in my portfolio?

UBND and SMTH have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UBND or SMTH?

SMTH has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to UBND (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UBND dropped -16.53% vs SMTH's -4.11%.

Which ETF is better, UBND or SMTH?

On 1-year performance, UBND leads with 5.73% vs 5.50% for SMTH. On fees, UBND is cheaper at 0.40% 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, UBND or SMTH?

Over the 1-year period, UBND has performed better with a 5.73% return vs 5.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UBND or SMTH?

UBND is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for SMTH.

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

UBND has the higher dividend yield at 4.76%, compared with 4.39% for SMTH.

What is the main difference between UBND and SMTH?

They also come from different issuers: Victory and ALPS. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for UBND and 0.59% for SMTH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UBND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.42), 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.