CPLS vs SMTH
AB Core Plus Bond ETF vs ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF
Which is better, CPLS or SMTH?
Nearly the same fund. CPLS costs less.
CPLS has a lower expense ratio. SMTH led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CPLS | SMTH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $200M | $3.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.87% | 4.48% |
| Holdings | 818 | 921 |
| YTD Return | -2.78% | -2.50%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.71% | -2.47%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5% | 4.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -4.7%Tie | -4.7%Tie |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $10,739 | $10,866Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2023 | Dec 5, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.8 years).
CPLS vs SMTH growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.8 years both funds cover.
CPLS vs SMTH Performance
AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year CPLS returned -2.71% while SMTH returned -2.47%. Year to date, CPLS is down 2.78% versus a loss of 2.50% for SMTH.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CPLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.5% compared with 4.2% for SMTH. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -4.7% for CPLS and -4.7% for SMTH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CPLS charges 0.30% per year while SMTH charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $59 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CPLS currently yields 4.87% against 4.48% for SMTH.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 382 holdings in CPLS and 147 in SMTH, totalling 66.6% and 30.2% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 4 positions appear in both.
4 positions in common, counted across the 382 positions we hold weights for in CPLS and 147 in SMTH, against full books of 818 and 921.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CPLS | Weight in SMTH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS V5.297 04/20/37Morgan Stanley Subordinated 04/37 Var | 0.20% | 0.39% | 0.19% |
| WFC V5.605 04/23/36Wells Fargo + Company Sr Unsecured 04/36 Var | 0.01% | 0.35% | 0.34% |
| USB V4.839 02/01/34Usb 4.839 02/01/34 | 0.14% | 0.15% | 0.01% |
| CIVI 8.75 07/01/31 1Civitas Resources Inc 144A 8.75% Jul 1, 2031 | 0.18% | 0.07% | 0.11% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CPLS and SMTH you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CPLS or SMTH?
CPLS has an expense ratio of 0.30% while SMTH charges 0.59%. CPLS is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CPLS or SMTH?
Over the past year CPLS returned -2.71% vs -2.47% for SMTH, so SMTH leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CPLS or SMTH?
CPLS has been the more volatile fund at 4.5% annualized versus 4.2% for SMTH. Worst drawdown: CPLS -4.7% vs SMTH -4.7%.
Should I hold both CPLS and SMTH?
CPLS and SMTH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CPLS or SMTH?
CPLS yields 4.87% while SMTH yields 4.48%, so CPLS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMTH better than CPLS?
CPLS has a lower expense ratio. SMTH led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.