AVEM vs. PONAX

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and PONAX (PIMCO Income Fund Class A) are both funds - AVEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while PONAX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 5 years, AVEM returned 9.57%/yr vs 2.94%/yr for PONAX. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AVEM charges 0.33%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for PONAX.

Performance

AVEM vs. PONAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) and PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVEM achieves a 24.56% return, which is significantly higher than PONAX's 0.18% return.

AVEM

• 1D: 4.59%
• 1M: 2.95%
• YTD: 24.56%
• 6M: 25.81%
• 1Y: 45.40%
• 3Y*: 24.22%
• 5Y*: 9.57%
• 10Y*: —

PONAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.18%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 6.76%
• 3Y*: 7.14%
• 5Y*: 2.94%
• 10Y*: 4.22%

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

AVEM vs. PONAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	24.56%	34.48%	7.49%	15.30%	-18.15%	5.16%	14.39%	10.40%
PONAX PIMCO Income Fund Class A	0.18%	10.63%	5.02%	8.96%	-9.34%	2.21%	5.40%	2.88%

Correlation

The correlation between AVEM and PONAX is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 2019	0.37

Return for Risk

AVEM vs. PONAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 80
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 82
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 81

PONAX

PONAX Risk / Return Rank: 44
PONAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PONAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
PONAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
PONAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PONAX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

AVEM vs. PONAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) and PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX). 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.

	AVEM	PONAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.74	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	2.57	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.33	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.47	1.93	+1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.23	6.45	+6.78

AVEM vs. PONAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the PONAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVEM and PONAX, 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

AVEM vs. PONAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVEM drawdown since its inception was -36.05%, which is greater than PONAX's maximum drawdown of -13.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVEM and PONAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVEM	PONAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.05%	-13.64%	-22.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.13%	-3.69%	-9.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.02%	-3.90%	-14.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.88%	-13.64%	-20.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-13.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.73%	-1.67%	-2.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.08%	-1.79%	-8.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.44%	1.10%	+2.34%

Volatility

AVEM vs. PONAX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a higher volatility of 11.06% compared to PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX) at 1.62%. This indicates that AVEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PONAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVEM	PONAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.06%	1.62%	+9.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.80%	3.30%	+15.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.17%	4.10%	+17.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.71%	4.82%	+13.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.77%	4.22%	+16.55%

AVEM vs. PONAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVEM has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than PONAX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVEM vs. PONAX - Dividend Comparison

AVEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, less than PONAX's 5.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.60%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PONAX PIMCO Income Fund Class A	5.46%	5.61%	5.86%	5.86%	4.66%	3.62%	4.48%	5.42%	5.24%	4.97%	5.13%	7.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVEM and PONAX in my portfolio?

AVEM and PONAX have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVEM or PONAX?

AVEM has higher volatility (11.06%) compared to PONAX (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVEM dropped -36.05% vs PONAX's -13.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.74), 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.