ESIIX vs. NEFZX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESIIX (Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I) and NEFZX (Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, ESIIX returned 5.20%/yr vs 3.24%/yr for NEFZX. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESIIX charges 1.21%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for NEFZX.

Performance

ESIIX vs. NEFZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ESIIX) and Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund (NEFZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESIIX achieves a 2.18% return, which is significantly higher than NEFZX's -0.13% return. Over the past 10 years, ESIIX has outperformed NEFZX with an annualized return of 5.20%, while NEFZX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.24% annualized return.

ESIIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 2.69%
• 1Y: 10.22%
• 3Y*: 8.99%
• 5Y*: 5.32%
• 10Y*: 5.20%

NEFZX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: -0.13%
• 6M: -0.21%
• 1Y: 5.61%
• 3Y*: 7.41%
• 5Y*: 2.26%
• 10Y*: 3.24%

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

ESIIX vs. NEFZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESIIX Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I	2.18%	12.46%	6.66%	8.52%	-2.32%	1.59%	7.80%	7.65%	-2.44%	5.16%
NEFZX Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund	-0.13%	8.92%	7.05%	8.02%	-12.82%	3.85%	1.15%	10.84%	-3.00%	7.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ESIIX and NEFZX 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	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2009	0.43

Over the past year, ESIIX and NEFZX have become more correlated (0.69) than their long-term average of 0.43, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

ESIIX vs. NEFZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESIIX

ESIIX Risk / Return Rank: 92
ESIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
ESIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ESIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ESIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ESIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

NEFZX

NEFZX Risk / Return Rank: 26
NEFZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
NEFZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
NEFZX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
NEFZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NEFZX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

ESIIX vs. NEFZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ESIIX) and Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund (NEFZX). 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.

	ESIIX	NEFZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.61	1.55	+2.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.41	2.24	+3.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.83	1.30	+0.53
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.21	1.63	+2.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.21	5.50	+10.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESIIX vs. NEFZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESIIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.61, which is higher than the NEFZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESIIX and NEFZX, 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

	ESIIX	NEFZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61	1.55	+2.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.67	0.42	+1.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.65	0.63	+1.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	1.12	-0.66

Drawdowns

ESIIX vs. NEFZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESIIX drawdown since its inception was -26.87%, smaller than the maximum NEFZX drawdown of -32.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESIIX and NEFZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESIIX	NEFZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.87%	-32.07%	+5.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.44%	-4.17%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.46%	-5.88%	+3.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.18%	-17.19%	+11.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.25%	-17.21%	+4.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-1.86%	+1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.72%	-3.36%	-1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	1.22%	-0.59%

Volatility

ESIIX vs. NEFZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ESIIX) is 1.05%, while Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund (NEFZX) has a volatility of 1.69%. This indicates that ESIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEFZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESIIX	NEFZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	1.69%	-0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.23%	3.42%	-1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.84%	4.40%	-1.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.19%	5.57%	-2.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.17%	5.27%	-2.10%

ESIIX vs. NEFZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESIIX has a 1.21% expense ratio, which is higher than NEFZX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESIIX vs. NEFZX - Dividend Comparison

ESIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.39%, more than NEFZX's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESIIX Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I	7.39%	7.01%	7.23%	7.19%	5.82%	4.57%	4.44%	5.29%	4.25%	3.95%	4.18%	4.59%
NEFZX Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund	3.96%	3.83%	5.60%	5.37%	6.34%	2.64%	4.20%	3.51%	4.28%	4.06%	4.76%	10.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESIIX and NEFZX in my portfolio?

ESIIX and NEFZX 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, ESIIX or NEFZX?

NEFZX has higher volatility (1.69%) compared to ESIIX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESIIX dropped -26.87% vs NEFZX's -32.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 vs 1.55), 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.