FTRB vs SMTH
Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF vs ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF
Which is better, FTRB or SMTH?
Nearly the same fund. FTRB costs less.
FTRB has a lower expense ratio. FTRB led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | FTRB | SMTH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $706M | $3.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.43% | 4.48% |
| Holdings | 681 | 921 |
| YTD Return | -2.16%Best | -2.50% |
| 1Y Return | -1.59%Best | -2.47% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5% | 4.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -4.8% | -4.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $10,804Best | $10,786 |
| Fund Family | Federated Hermes | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Jan 2, 2024 | 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: Jan 4, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.8 years).
FTRB 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.
FTRB vs SMTH Performance
Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (FTRB) is an ETF from Federated Hermes and ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year FTRB returned -1.59% while SMTH returned -2.47%. Year to date, FTRB is down 2.16% versus a loss of 2.50% for SMTH.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTRB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.5% compared with 4.3% 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 -4.8% for FTRB 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTRB charges 0.39% per year while SMTH charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $59 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTRB currently yields 4.43% against 4.48% for SMTH.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 558 holdings in FTRB and 147 in SMTH, totalling 52.5% 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, 5 positions appear in both.
5 positions in common, counted across the 558 positions we hold weights for in FTRB and 147 in SMTH, against full books of 681 and 921.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTRB | Weight in SMTH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| T 4.125 10/31/29Us Treas Nts 4.125% 10/31/29 | 0.12% | 3.53% | 3.41% |
| MS V5.297 04/20/37Morgan Stanley Subordinated 04/37 Var | 0.14% | 0.39% | 0.25% |
| JPM V5.336 01/23/35Jpmorgan Chase 5.336 2035-01-23 | 0.18% | 0.30% | 0.12% |
| SOLV 5.45 03/13/31Solventum Corp 5.45% Mar 13, 2031 | 0.01% | 0.19% | 0.18% |
| STT V3.031 11/01/34State Street Corp | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTRB 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, FTRB or SMTH?
FTRB has an expense ratio of 0.39% while SMTH charges 0.59%. FTRB is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTRB or SMTH?
Over the past year FTRB returned -1.59% vs -2.47% for SMTH, so FTRB leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTRB or SMTH?
FTRB has been the more volatile fund at 4.5% annualized versus 4.3% for SMTH. Worst drawdown: FTRB -4.8% vs SMTH -4.7%.
Should I hold both FTRB and SMTH?
FTRB and SMTH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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, FTRB or SMTH?
FTRB yields 4.43% while SMTH yields 4.48%, so SMTH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMTH better than FTRB?
FTRB has a lower expense ratio. FTRB led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.