RSF vs SMTH
RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. vs ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF
Which is better, RSF or SMTH?
RSF has been ahead.
SMTH has a lower expense ratio. RSF led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | RSF | SMTH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 5.25% | 0.59%Best |
| AUM | $49M | $3.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.07% | 4.48% |
| Holdings | 9,552 | 921 |
| YTD Return | +7.42%Best | -2.50% |
| 1Y Return | +7.39%Best | -2.47% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.18% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.68% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.4% | 4.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -6.2% | -4.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $12,086Best | $11,089 |
| Fund Family | RiverNorth | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Sep 22, 2016 | Dec 5, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 6, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.9 years).
RSF 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
RSF vs SMTH Performance
RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (RSF) is an ETF from RiverNorth and ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year RSF returned +7.39% while SMTH returned -2.47%. Year to date, RSF is up 7.42% versus a loss of 2.50% for SMTH.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RSF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.4% 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 -6.2% for RSF 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 0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RSF charges 5.25% per year while SMTH charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $525 vs $59 annually, a gap of $466 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSF currently yields 11.07% against 4.48% for SMTH.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 15 holdings in RSF and 147 in SMTH, totalling 5.8% and 30.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 73 days apart, RSF as of Jun 30, 2026 and SMTH as of Sep 11, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 15 positions we hold weights for in RSF and 147 in SMTH, against full books of 9,552 and 921.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RSF 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, RSF or SMTH?
RSF has an expense ratio of 5.25% while SMTH charges 0.59%. SMTH is the cheaper option, by $466 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RSF or SMTH?
Over the past year RSF returned +7.39% vs -2.47% for SMTH, so RSF leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RSF or SMTH?
RSF has been the more volatile fund at 4.4% annualized versus 4.2% for SMTH. Worst drawdown: RSF -6.2% vs SMTH -4.7%.
Should I hold both RSF and SMTH?
RSF and SMTH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.03, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSF or SMTH?
RSF yields 11.07% while SMTH yields 4.48%, so RSF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMTH better than RSF?
SMTH has a lower expense ratio. RSF led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.