IGM vs. PIPAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IGM (iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF) and PIPAX (PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A) are both funds - IGM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P North American Technology Sector Index, while PIPAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, IGM returned 25.19%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for PIPAX. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGM charges 0.46%/yr vs 1.15%/yr for PIPAX.

Performance

IGM vs. PIPAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) and PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A (PIPAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGM achieves a 31.32% return, which is significantly higher than PIPAX's 9.45% return. Over the past 10 years, IGM has outperformed PIPAX with an annualized return of 25.19%, while PIPAX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.62% annualized return.

IGM

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 16.93%
• YTD: 31.32%
• 6M: 29.19%
• 1Y: 62.26%
• 3Y*: 39.18%
• 5Y*: 22.04%
• 10Y*: 25.19%

PIPAX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 4.57%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 4.81%
• 1Y: 17.95%
• 3Y*: 16.11%
• 5Y*: 10.97%
• 10Y*: 11.62%

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

IGM vs. PIPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGM iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF	31.32%	26.76%	36.99%	60.68%	-35.83%	25.72%	45.11%	41.81%	2.26%	37.20%
PIPAX PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A	9.45%	16.57%	14.37%	21.29%	-9.30%	18.02%	3.78%	25.94%	-10.40%	18.30%

Correlation

The correlation between IGM and PIPAX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2003	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between IGM and PIPAX has dropped to 0.33 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IGM vs. PIPAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGM

IGM Risk / Return Rank: 79
IGM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
IGM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
IGM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IGM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
IGM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

PIPAX

PIPAX Risk / Return Rank: 22
PIPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
PIPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
PIPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PIPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
PIPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

IGM vs. PIPAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) and PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A (PIPAX). 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.

	IGM	PIPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	1.26	+1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	1.70	+2.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.27	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	1.73	+2.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.36	6.00	+7.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGM vs. PIPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGM Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the PIPAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGM and PIPAX, 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

	IGM	PIPAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.07	1.26	+1.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.77	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.03	0.80	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.53	-0.05

Drawdowns

IGM vs. PIPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGM drawdown since its inception was -65.59%, which is greater than PIPAX's maximum drawdown of -57.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGM and PIPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGM	PIPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.59%	-57.80%	-7.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.44%	-10.72%	-5.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-15.24%	-11.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.68%	-19.17%	-21.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.68%	-35.55%	-5.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	0.00%	-0.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.23%	-7.36%	-7.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.67%	3.08%	+1.59%

Volatility

IGM vs. PIPAX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) has a higher volatility of 6.10% compared to PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A (PIPAX) at 3.68%. This indicates that IGM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PIPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGM	PIPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.10%	3.68%	+2.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.08%	13.05%	+3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.43%	14.72%	+5.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.68%	14.27%	+11.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.54%	14.66%	+9.88%

IGM vs. PIPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGM has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than PIPAX's 1.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGM vs. PIPAX - Dividend Comparison

IGM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than PIPAX's 5.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGM iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF	0.12%	0.17%	0.22%	0.33%	0.66%	0.16%	0.32%	0.50%	0.57%	0.57%	0.90%	0.79%
PIPAX PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A	5.13%	5.61%	12.69%	10.56%	10.66%	7.59%	1.44%	11.71%	8.25%	7.38%	0.78%	8.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGM and PIPAX in my portfolio?

IGM and PIPAX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IGM or PIPAX?

IGM has higher volatility (6.10%) compared to PIPAX (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGM dropped -65.59% vs PIPAX's -57.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 1.26), 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.