DSL vs. DFLEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DSL (DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund) and DFLEX (DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund) are both mutual funds - DSL is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by DoubleLine, while DFLEX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by DoubleLine. Over the past 10 years, DSL returned 5.27%/yr vs 3.75%/yr for DFLEX. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DSL charges 2.28%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for DFLEX.

Performance

DSL vs. DFLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund (DSL) and DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund (DFLEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSL achieves a 1.47% return, which is significantly lower than DFLEX's 1.61% return. Over the past 10 years, DSL has outperformed DFLEX with an annualized return of 5.27%, while DFLEX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.75% annualized return.

DSL

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: -0.82%
• YTD: 1.47%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: -0.33%
• 3Y*: 9.35%
• 5Y*: 0.94%
• 10Y*: 5.27%

DFLEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 1.94%
• 1Y: 5.66%
• 3Y*: 7.49%
• 5Y*: 3.23%
• 10Y*: 3.75%

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

DSL vs. DFLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DSL DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund	1.47%	-0.01%	15.00%	23.41%	-22.61%	7.39%	-6.49%	25.10%	-6.04%	16.39%
DFLEX DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund	1.61%	6.58%	8.65%	7.84%	-8.48%	3.79%	2.93%	7.21%	0.10%	5.27%

Correlation

The correlation between DSL and DFLEX is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2014	0.25

Return for Risk

DSL vs. DFLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DSL

DSL Risk / Return Rank: 2
DSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
DSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
DSL Omega Ratio Rank: 2
DSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
DSL Martin Ratio Rank: 2

DFLEX

DFLEX Risk / Return Rank: 98
DFLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DFLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
DFLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DFLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

DSL vs. DFLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund (DSL) and DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund (DFLEX). 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.

	DSL	DFLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.04	4.36	-4.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.01	7.75	-7.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	2.35	-1.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.03	6.23	-6.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.06	28.16	-28.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DSL vs. DFLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSL Sharpe Ratio is -0.04, which is lower than the DFLEX Sharpe Ratio of 4.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSL and DFLEX, 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

	DSL	DFLEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.04	4.36	-4.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	1.68	-1.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	1.38	-1.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	1.38	-1.18

Drawdowns

DSL vs. DFLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSL drawdown since its inception was -49.51%, which is greater than DFLEX's maximum drawdown of -17.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSL and DFLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSL	DFLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.51%	-17.29%	-32.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.16%	-0.91%	-10.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.43%	-1.15%	-13.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.18%	-11.00%	-23.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.51%	-17.29%	-32.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.29%	0.00%	-6.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.74%	-1.55%	-7.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.54%	0.20%	+5.34%

Volatility

DSL vs. DFLEX - Volatility Comparison

DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund (DSL) has a higher volatility of 3.59% compared to DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund (DFLEX) at 0.45%. This indicates that DSL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSL	DFLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	0.45%	+3.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.56%	0.99%	+6.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.27%	1.31%	+7.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.84%	1.93%	+12.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.10%	2.73%	+17.37%

DSL vs. DFLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSL has a 2.28% expense ratio, which is higher than DFLEX's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSL vs. DFLEX - Dividend Comparison

DSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.12%, more than DFLEX's 5.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFLEX DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund	5.54%	5.68%	6.05%	5.95%	4.72%	3.86%	3.96%	4.46%	4.46%	3.82%	3.75%	4.32%
DSL DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund	12.12%	11.71%	11.38%	10.78%	13.67%	10.74%	10.69%	9.33%	10.39%	9.11%	9.53%	11.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSL and DFLEX in my portfolio?

DSL and DFLEX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSL or DFLEX?

DSL has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to DFLEX (0.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSL dropped -49.51% vs DFLEX's -17.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFLEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.36 vs -0.04), 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.