AIRR vs. PCN

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) and PCN (PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund) are both funds - AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index, while PCN is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, AIRR returned 22.05%/yr vs 7.31%/yr for PCN. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AIRR charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for PCN.

Performance

AIRR vs. PCN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) and PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (PCN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIRR achieves a 31.74% return, which is significantly higher than PCN's -3.20% return. Over the past 10 years, AIRR has outperformed PCN with an annualized return of 22.05%, while PCN has yielded a comparatively lower 7.31% annualized return.

AIRR

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -1.26%
• YTD: 31.74%
• 6M: 28.77%
• 1Y: 67.12%
• 3Y*: 35.29%
• 5Y*: 25.46%
• 10Y*: 22.05%

PCN

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: -3.20%
• 6M: -0.94%
• 1Y: 4.06%
• 3Y*: 8.59%
• 5Y*: 0.74%
• 10Y*: 7.31%

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

AIRR vs. PCN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	31.74%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	-2.08%	33.01%	17.17%	33.97%	-20.57%	16.28%
PCN PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund	-3.20%	5.55%	19.52%	16.22%	-22.88%	6.93%	-2.19%	39.10%	-5.94%	26.20%

Correlation

The correlation between AIRR and PCN is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2014	0.29

Return for Risk

AIRR vs. PCN — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 86
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

PCN

PCN Risk / Return Rank: 7
PCN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PCN Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PCN Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PCN Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PCN Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

AIRR vs. PCN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) and PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (PCN). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AIRR	PCN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	0.31	+2.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	0.51	+2.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.07	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.01	0.29	+4.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.33	0.81	+17.52

AIRR vs. PCN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIRR Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is higher than the PCN Sharpe Ratio of 0.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIRR and PCN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AIRR vs. PCN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIRR drawdown since its inception was -42.37%, smaller than the maximum PCN drawdown of -61.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIRR and PCN.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIRR	PCN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.37%	-61.12%	+18.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.09%	-10.40%	-2.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.95%	-22.53%	-5.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.95%	-33.39%	+5.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.37%	-50.27%	+7.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-5.72%	+3.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.48%	-7.20%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	3.70%	-0.13%

Volatility

AIRR vs. PCN - Volatility Comparison

First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) has a higher volatility of 9.32% compared to PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (PCN) at 2.95%. This indicates that AIRR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PCN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIRR	PCN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.32%	2.95%	+6.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.81%	7.19%	+13.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.19%	9.77%	+16.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.45%	16.19%	+9.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.36%	21.94%	+4.42%

AIRR vs. PCN - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIRR has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than PCN's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIRR vs. PCN - Dividend Comparison

AIRR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, less than PCN's 11.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.13%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
PCN PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund	11.55%	10.58%	10.06%	10.88%	12.66%	7.89%	7.83%	7.37%	9.60%	7.85%	11.98%	10.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIRR and PCN in my portfolio?

AIRR and PCN have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIRR or PCN?

AIRR has higher volatility (9.32%) compared to PCN (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIRR dropped -42.37% vs PCN's -61.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 0.31), 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.