BCPIX vs. PTSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BCPIX (Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund) and PTSAX (PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, BCPIX returned 1.78%/yr vs 1.84%/yr for PTSAX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BCPIX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for PTSAX.

Performance

BCPIX vs. PTSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (BCPIX) and PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BCPIX achieves a 0.16% return, which is significantly lower than PTSAX's 0.50% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BCPIX having a 1.78% annualized return and PTSAX not far ahead at 1.84%.

BCPIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 0.16%
• 6M: 0.20%
• 1Y: 4.65%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 0.86%
• 10Y*: 1.78%

PTSAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.59%
• 1Y: 6.76%
• 3Y*: 4.89%
• 5Y*: -0.08%
• 10Y*: 1.84%

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

BCPIX vs. PTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BCPIX Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund	0.16%	6.71%	1.98%	6.70%	-10.78%	-0.34%	5.77%	6.65%	-0.45%	2.74%
PTSAX PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund	0.50%	8.56%	2.31%	5.50%	-16.17%	-1.07%	8.98%	8.97%	-0.78%	4.46%

Correlation

The correlation between BCPIX and PTSAX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008	0.81

The correlation between BCPIX and PTSAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (all time) to 0.94 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BCPIX vs. PTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BCPIX

BCPIX Risk / Return Rank: 20
BCPIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
BCPIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
BCPIX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
BCPIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
BCPIX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

PTSAX

PTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 28
PTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
PTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
PTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
PTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

BCPIX vs. PTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (BCPIX) and PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX). 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.

	BCPIX	PTSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	1.55	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.28	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.29	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	1.88	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.32	5.69	-0.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BCPIX vs. PTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCPIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the PTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCPIX and PTSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BCPIX	PTSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	1.55	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	-0.01	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.36	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	1.10	-0.76

Drawdowns

BCPIX vs. PTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCPIX drawdown since its inception was -22.43%, which is greater than PTSAX's maximum drawdown of -21.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCPIX and PTSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCPIX	PTSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.43%	-21.12%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.63%	-3.62%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.44%	-6.23%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.19%	-21.12%	+5.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.19%	-21.12%	+5.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.05%	-2.61%	+1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.25%	-2.47%	-1.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	1.19%	-0.34%

Volatility

BCPIX vs. PTSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (BCPIX) is 1.31%, while PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) has a volatility of 1.67%. This indicates that BCPIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BCPIX	PTSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	1.67%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.63%	3.35%	-0.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61%	4.39%	-0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.09%	6.11%	-1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.17%	5.09%	-0.92%

BCPIX vs. PTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCPIX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than PTSAX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCPIX vs. PTSAX - Dividend Comparison

BCPIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.22%, more than PTSAX's 3.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCPIX Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund	4.22%	4.32%	3.67%	2.91%	2.54%	1.89%	1.76%	2.77%	2.90%	2.49%	2.84%	2.72%
PTSAX PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund	3.95%	3.87%	3.89%	3.32%	3.68%	2.96%	4.60%	3.48%	2.56%	2.03%	2.96%	4.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCPIX and PTSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, BCPIX and PTSAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BCPIX or PTSAX?

PTSAX has higher volatility (1.67%) compared to BCPIX (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCPIX dropped -22.43% vs PTSAX's -21.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 1.26), 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.