ECSIX vs. PFIIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ECSIX (Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund) and PFIIX (PIMCO Low Duration Income Fund) are both mutual funds - ECSIX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by Eaton Vance, while PFIIX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, ECSIX returned 3.96%/yr vs 4.86%/yr for PFIIX. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ECSIX charges 1.82%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PFIIX.

Performance

ECSIX vs. PFIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund (ECSIX) and PIMCO Low Duration Income Fund (PFIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ECSIX achieves a 1.76% return, which is significantly higher than PFIIX's 1.46% return. Over the past 10 years, ECSIX has underperformed PFIIX with an annualized return of 3.96%, while PFIIX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.86% annualized return.

ECSIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.76%
• 6M: 2.21%
• 1Y: 9.05%
• 3Y*: 7.54%
• 5Y*: 4.07%
• 10Y*: 3.96%

PFIIX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: 1.46%
• 6M: 1.81%
• 1Y: 7.51%
• 3Y*: 7.59%
• 5Y*: 4.08%
• 10Y*: 4.86%

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

ECSIX vs. PFIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ECSIX Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund	1.76%	10.19%	5.71%	7.31%	-3.31%	0.69%	6.60%	5.76%	-3.37%	4.04%
PFIIX PIMCO Low Duration Income Fund	1.46%	9.56%	6.58%	7.78%	-5.29%	2.38%	4.84%	6.72%	1.56%	6.05%

Correlation

The correlation between ECSIX and PFIIX is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2004	0.46

Over the past year, ECSIX and PFIIX have become more correlated (0.69) than their long-term average of 0.46, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

ECSIX vs. PFIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ECSIX

ECSIX Risk / Return Rank: 86
ECSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ECSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ECSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ECSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ECSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

PFIIX

PFIIX Risk / Return Rank: 86
PFIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
PFIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PFIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PFIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
PFIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

ECSIX vs. PFIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund (ECSIX) and PIMCO Low Duration Income Fund (PFIIX). 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.

	ECSIX	PFIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.21	2.79	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.94	4.60	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.68	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.74	3.57	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.36	15.28	-1.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ECSIX vs. PFIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECSIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.21, which is comparable to the PFIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECSIX and PFIIX, 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

	ECSIX	PFIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.21	2.79	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.28	1.29	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.25	1.54	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.47	0.92	+0.54

Drawdowns

ECSIX vs. PFIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECSIX drawdown since its inception was -12.95%, smaller than the maximum PFIIX drawdown of -28.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECSIX and PFIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ECSIX	PFIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.95%	-28.35%	+15.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.43%	-2.16%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.64%	-2.23%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.19%	-8.84%	+1.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.53%	-11.72%	-0.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	0.00%	-0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.34%	-2.60%	+1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.68%	0.50%	+0.18%

Volatility

ECSIX vs. PFIIX - Volatility Comparison

Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund (ECSIX) has a higher volatility of 1.12% compared to PIMCO Low Duration Income Fund (PFIIX) at 1.02%. This indicates that ECSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ECSIX	PFIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.12%	1.02%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.20%	2.21%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83%	2.77%	+0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.21%	3.17%	+0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.18%	3.17%	+0.01%

ECSIX vs. PFIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECSIX has a 1.82% expense ratio, which is higher than PFIIX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECSIX vs. PFIIX - Dividend Comparison

ECSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.33%, more than PFIIX's 5.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECSIX Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund	6.33%	5.07%	6.21%	6.18%	4.78%	3.54%	3.47%	3.53%	3.19%	2.96%	3.20%	3.54%
PFIIX PIMCO Low Duration Income Fund	5.27%	5.49%	5.37%	4.97%	5.35%	3.06%	3.44%	4.74%	3.22%	3.13%	3.75%	5.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ECSIX and PFIIX in my portfolio?

ECSIX and PFIIX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ECSIX or PFIIX?

ECSIX has higher volatility (1.12%) compared to PFIIX (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECSIX dropped -12.95% vs PFIIX's -28.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ECSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.21 vs 2.79), 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.