JEPQ vs. PONAX

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) and PONAX (PIMCO Income Fund Class A) are both funds - JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index, while PONAX is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by PIMCO. JEPQ is passively managed, while PONAX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, JEPQ returned 20.83%/yr vs 7.30%/yr for PONAX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. JEPQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.94%/yr for PONAX.

Performance

JEPQ vs. PONAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) and PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JEPQ achieves a 10.52% return, which is significantly higher than PONAX's 0.83% return.

JEPQ

• 1D: 1.61%
• 1M: 3.22%
• YTD: 10.52%
• 6M: 10.65%
• 1Y: 29.09%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PONAX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.54%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.39%
• 1Y: 7.45%
• 3Y*: 7.30%
• 5Y*: 3.19%
• 10Y*: 4.31%

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

JEPQ vs. PONAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.52%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-11.16%
PONAX PIMCO Income Fund Class A	0.83%	10.63%	5.02%	8.96%	-2.56%

Correlation

The correlation between JEPQ and PONAX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.30

Return for Risk

JEPQ vs. PONAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 76
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PONAX

PONAX Risk / Return Rank: 44
PONAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PONAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
PONAX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
PONAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PONAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

JEPQ vs. PONAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) and PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	JEPQ	PONAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.82	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	2.70	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.35	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	2.03	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.77	6.75	+9.02

JEPQ vs. PONAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEPQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the PONAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEPQ and PONAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JEPQ vs. PONAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEPQ drawdown since its inception was -20.07%, which is greater than PONAX's maximum drawdown of -13.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEPQ and PONAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEPQ	PONAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.07%	-13.64%	-6.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-3.69%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.07%	-3.90%	-16.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.64%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-13.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.03%	+1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.40%	-1.79%	-1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	1.11%	+0.74%

Volatility

JEPQ vs. PONAX - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a higher volatility of 5.70% compared to PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX) at 1.41%. This indicates that JEPQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PONAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JEPQ	PONAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.70%	1.41%	+4.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.49%	3.36%	+7.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.83%	4.12%	+8.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.76%	4.83%	+11.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.76%	4.22%	+12.54%

JEPQ vs. PONAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JEPQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than PONAX's 0.94% expense ratio.

Dividends

JEPQ vs. PONAX - Dividend Comparison

JEPQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.98%, more than PONAX's 5.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	9.98%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PONAX PIMCO Income Fund Class A	5.43%	5.61%	5.86%	5.86%	4.66%	3.62%	4.48%	5.42%	5.24%	4.97%	5.13%	7.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JEPQ and PONAX in my portfolio?

JEPQ and PONAX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JEPQ or PONAX?

JEPQ has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to PONAX (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEPQ dropped -20.07% vs PONAX's -13.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.82), 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.