NCZ vs. PCONX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NCZ (Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II) and PCONX (Putnam Convertible Securities Fund) are both Convertible Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, NCZ returned 9.09%/yr vs 12.14%/yr for PCONX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NCZ charges 0.03%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for PCONX.

Performance

NCZ vs. PCONX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II (NCZ) and Putnam Convertible Securities Fund (PCONX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NCZ achieves a 18.78% return, which is significantly lower than PCONX's 23.04% return. Over the past 10 years, NCZ has underperformed PCONX with an annualized return of 9.09%, while PCONX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.14% annualized return.

NCZ

• 1D: -2.07%
• 1M: 1.49%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 6M: 16.91%
• 1Y: 40.02%
• 3Y*: 22.54%
• 5Y*: 5.27%
• 10Y*: 9.09%

PCONX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: 23.04%
• 6M: 21.29%
• 1Y: 32.74%
• 3Y*: 17.53%
• 5Y*: 6.59%
• 10Y*: 12.14%

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

NCZ vs. PCONX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NCZ Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II	18.78%	23.23%	18.40%	17.75%	-35.93%	9.24%	11.04%	27.19%	-18.66%	24.89%
PCONX Putnam Convertible Securities Fund	23.04%	11.97%	12.60%	10.13%	-19.27%	4.23%	44.86%	24.32%	-2.92%	14.41%

Correlation

The correlation between NCZ and PCONX is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 29, 2003	0.55

The correlation between NCZ and PCONX shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (all time) to 0.70 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NCZ vs. PCONX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NCZ

NCZ Risk / Return Rank: 76
NCZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
NCZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
NCZ Omega Ratio Rank: 67
NCZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
NCZ Martin Ratio Rank: 85

PCONX

PCONX Risk / Return Rank: 72
PCONX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
PCONX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PCONX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PCONX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
PCONX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

NCZ vs. PCONX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II (NCZ) and Putnam Convertible Securities Fund (PCONX). 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.

	NCZ	PCONX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.20	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	2.91	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.39	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	4.54	-1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.83	15.14	-0.31

NCZ vs. PCONX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCZ Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the PCONX Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCZ and PCONX, 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

NCZ vs. PCONX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCZ drawdown since its inception was -79.48%, which is greater than PCONX's maximum drawdown of -47.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCZ and PCONX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCZ	PCONX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.48%	-47.70%	-31.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.94%	-7.35%	-4.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.54%	-13.41%	-6.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.93%	-25.48%	-18.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.08%	-26.14%	-29.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.07%	-0.69%	-1.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.32%	-8.29%	-6.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.71%	2.20%	+0.51%

Volatility

NCZ vs. PCONX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II (NCZ) is 5.38%, while Putnam Convertible Securities Fund (PCONX) has a volatility of 6.27%. This indicates that NCZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PCONX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCZ	PCONX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.38%	6.27%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.24%	12.80%	+0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.73%	15.18%	+1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.39%	12.85%	+8.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.29%	13.14%	+11.15%

NCZ vs. PCONX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCZ has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than PCONX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

NCZ vs. PCONX - Dividend Comparison

NCZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.24%, more than PCONX's 4.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NCZ Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II	9.24%	10.45%	11.50%	12.84%	15.62%	8.82%	9.28%	11.28%	15.33%	13.80%	12.08%	18.02%
PCONX Putnam Convertible Securities Fund	4.46%	6.10%	1.48%	0.99%	0.72%	26.98%	11.62%	7.72%	13.92%	3.48%	2.08%	6.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCZ and PCONX in my portfolio?

NCZ and PCONX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NCZ or PCONX?

PCONX has higher volatility (6.27%) compared to NCZ (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCZ dropped -79.48% vs PCONX's -47.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NCZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.20), 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.