FKSAX vs. NPCT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FKSAX (Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class) and NPCT (Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FKSAX returned 1.61%/yr vs -3.29%/yr for NPCT. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FKSAX charges 0.47%/yr vs 5.08%/yr for NPCT.

Performance

FKSAX vs. NPCT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class (FKSAX) and Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FKSAX achieves a 0.44% return, which is significantly lower than NPCT's 2.11% return.

FKSAX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 0.44%
• 6M: 0.33%
• 1Y: 5.64%
• 3Y*: 5.03%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 2.86%

NPCT

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: -4.71%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: -0.13%
• 1Y: 1.71%
• 3Y*: 11.99%
• 5Y*: -3.29%
• 10Y*: —

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

FKSAX vs. NPCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FKSAX Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class	0.44%	6.16%	3.53%	8.10%	-10.38%	2.09%
NPCT Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund	2.11%	9.87%	17.23%	7.78%	-37.50%	-4.98%

Correlation

The correlation between FKSAX and NPCT is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2021	0.52

The correlation between FKSAX and NPCT shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FKSAX vs. NPCT — Risk / Return Rank

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

FKSAX

FKSAX Risk / Return Rank: 29
FKSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FKSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FKSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
FKSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
FKSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

NPCT

NPCT Risk / Return Rank: 4
NPCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Omega Ratio Rank: 3
NPCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

FKSAX vs. NPCT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class (FKSAX) and Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT). 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.

	FKSAX	NPCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	0.17	+1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	0.33	+1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.04	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	0.25	+1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.85	0.64	+5.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FKSAX vs. NPCT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FKSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is higher than the NPCT Sharpe Ratio of 0.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FKSAX and NPCT, 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

	FKSAX	NPCT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	0.17	+1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	-0.25	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.28	-0.26	+1.54

Drawdowns

FKSAX vs. NPCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FKSAX drawdown since its inception was -18.98%, smaller than the maximum NPCT drawdown of -46.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FKSAX and NPCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FKSAX	NPCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.98%	-46.77%	+27.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.01%	-6.79%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.44%	-12.59%	+9.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.58%	-46.77%	+32.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.50%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.47%	-17.10%	+15.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.13%	-25.23%	+23.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	2.70%	-1.71%

Volatility

FKSAX vs. NPCT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class (FKSAX) is 1.30%, while Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT) has a volatility of 3.26%. This indicates that FKSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NPCT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FKSAX	NPCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.30%	3.26%	-1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.72%	7.15%	-4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.64%	9.83%	-6.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.11%	13.12%	-9.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.12%	13.07%	-8.95%

FKSAX vs. NPCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FKSAX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than NPCT's 5.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FKSAX vs. NPCT - Dividend Comparison

FKSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.19%, less than NPCT's 12.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FKSAX Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class	4.19%	3.54%	4.98%	4.38%	4.62%	3.87%	4.17%	4.71%	4.57%	2.50%	2.72%	5.07%
NPCT Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund	12.50%	13.15%	12.20%	10.28%	11.93%	3.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FKSAX and NPCT in my portfolio?

FKSAX and NPCT have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FKSAX or NPCT?

NPCT has higher volatility (3.26%) compared to FKSAX (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FKSAX dropped -18.98% vs NPCT's -46.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FKSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 0.17), 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.