GDO vs. PAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDO (Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc) and PAI (Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc.) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Franklin Templeton. Over the past 10 years, GDO returned 4.29%/yr vs 3.32%/yr for PAI. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GDO vs. PAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc (GDO) and Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc. (PAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDO achieves a -3.49% return, which is significantly lower than PAI's -1.33% return. Over the past 10 years, GDO has outperformed PAI with an annualized return of 4.29%, while PAI has yielded a comparatively lower 3.32% annualized return.

GDO

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -0.51%
• YTD: -3.49%
• 6M: -1.59%
• 1Y: 7.11%
• 3Y*: 8.07%
• 5Y*: 0.02%
• 10Y*: 4.29%

PAI

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: -1.33%
• 6M: 0.15%
• 1Y: 2.93%
• 3Y*: 6.31%
• 5Y*: 0.05%
• 10Y*: 3.32%

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

GDO vs. PAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GDO Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc	-3.49%	18.25%	-0.79%	10.39%	-20.30%	3.38%	6.82%	30.72%	-10.12%	13.48%
PAI Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc.	-1.33%	5.34%	9.17%	9.09%	-22.50%	1.89%	6.71%	23.16%	-12.35%	15.76%

Correlation

The correlation between GDO and PAI is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2009	0.24

The correlation between GDO and PAI shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (all time) to 0.40 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GDO vs. PAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDO

GDO Risk / Return Rank: 10
GDO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
GDO Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
GDO Omega Ratio Rank: 11
GDO Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
GDO Martin Ratio Rank: 9

PAI

PAI Risk / Return Rank: 5
PAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
PAI Omega Ratio Rank: 5
PAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PAI Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

GDO vs. PAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc (GDO) and Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc. (PAI). 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.

	GDO	PAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	0.36	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.30	0.56	+0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.07	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	0.38	+0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.61	0.87	+1.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDO vs. PAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDO Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is higher than the PAI Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDO and PAI, 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

	GDO	PAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87	0.36	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.00	0.00	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.22	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.42	-0.02

Drawdowns

GDO vs. PAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDO drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, smaller than the maximum PAI drawdown of -39.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDO and PAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDO	PAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-39.03%	+4.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.28%	-7.79%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-8.87%	-4.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.61%	-33.71%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.61%	-33.71%	-0.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.08%	-11.42%	+7.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.67%	-7.13%	+0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	3.36%	-0.63%

Volatility

GDO vs. PAI - Volatility Comparison

Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc (GDO) has a higher volatility of 2.54% compared to Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc. (PAI) at 1.67%. This indicates that GDO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDO	PAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	1.67%	+0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.37%	5.62%	+0.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.19%	8.06%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.30%	11.99%	+0.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.29%	15.42%	-2.13%

Dividends

GDO vs. PAI - Dividend Comparison

GDO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.57%, more than PAI's 5.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDO Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc	13.57%	12.40%	12.04%	9.52%	9.49%	6.93%	6.70%	6.65%	8.41%	7.57%	7.96%	8.62%
PAI Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc.	5.20%	5.45%	4.83%	4.67%	4.82%	3.57%	3.82%	4.43%	5.23%	4.36%	4.82%	5.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDO and PAI in my portfolio?

GDO and PAI have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDO or PAI?

GDO has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to PAI (1.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDO dropped -34.61% vs PAI's -39.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 vs 0.36), 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.