JMM vs. PFL

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

JMM (Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund) and PFL (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, JMM returned 2.95%/yr vs 7.62%/yr for PFL. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

JMM vs. PFL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund (JMM) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JMM achieves a -0.61% return, which is significantly higher than PFL's -1.24% return. Over the past 10 years, JMM has underperformed PFL with an annualized return of 2.95%, while PFL has yielded a comparatively higher 7.62% annualized return.

JMM

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.85%
• 6M: -0.11%
• YTD: -0.61%
• 1Y: -3.70%
• 3Y*: 5.99%
• 5Y*: 0.64%
• 10Y*: 2.95%

PFL

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 2.22%
• 6M: -1.71%
• YTD: -1.24%
• 1Y: 5.10%
• 3Y*: 10.40%
• 5Y*: 1.28%
• 10Y*: 7.62%

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

JMM vs. PFL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JMM Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund	-0.61%	5.61%	8.15%	6.57%	-17.95%	10.53%	1.77%	13.56%	-5.37%	10.58%
PFL PIMCO Income Strategy Fund	-1.24%	13.03%	11.51%	17.29%	-17.92%	4.62%	7.11%	19.65%	2.06%	21.26%

Correlation

The correlation between JMM and PFL is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2003	0.17

Return for Risk

JMM vs. PFL — Risk / Return Rank

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

JMM

JMM Risk / Return Rank: 2
JMM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
JMM Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
JMM Omega Ratio Rank: 2
JMM Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
JMM Martin Ratio Rank: 2

PFL

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

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.

JMM vs. PFL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund (JMM) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL). 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.

	JMM	PFL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.15	0.55	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.13	0.82	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.12	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.21	0.67	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.40	1.87	-2.27

JMM vs. PFL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JMM Sharpe Ratio is -0.15, which is lower than the PFL Sharpe Ratio of 0.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JMM and PFL, 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

JMM vs. PFL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JMM drawdown since its inception was -48.15%, smaller than the maximum PFL drawdown of -77.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JMM and PFL.

Drawdown Indicators

	JMM	PFL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.15%	-77.97%	+29.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.28%	-7.64%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.92%	-13.21%	+3.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.19%	-33.30%	+9.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.48%	-48.40%	+21.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.60%	-3.13%	-2.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.08%	-10.97%	-3.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.29%	2.74%	+1.55%

Volatility

JMM vs. PFL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund (JMM) is 1.94%, while PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) has a volatility of 2.55%. This indicates that JMM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JMM	PFL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.94%	2.55%	-0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.18%	8.27%	-0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.58%	9.38%	+2.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.40%	13.69%	-0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.91%	18.32%	-4.41%

Dividends

JMM vs. PFL - Dividend Comparison

JMM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.97%, less than PFL's 12.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JMM Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund	5.97%	5.76%	5.48%	5.58%	6.13%	4.60%	4.49%	4.86%	5.34%	5.63%	6.19%	6.76%
PFL PIMCO Income Strategy Fund	11.42%	11.59%	11.66%	11.57%	12.04%	9.53%	9.44%	9.11%	9.94%	9.25%	10.22%	11.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JMM and PFL in my portfolio?

JMM and PFL have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JMM or PFL?

PFL has higher volatility (2.55%) compared to JMM (1.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JMM dropped -48.15% vs PFL's -77.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.55 vs -0.15), 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.