NEFRX vs. NEFZX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NEFRX (Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund) and NEFZX (Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund) are both mutual funds - NEFRX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by Natixis, while NEFZX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by Natixis. Over the past 10 years, NEFRX returned 2.17%/yr vs 3.24%/yr for NEFZX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NEFRX charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for NEFZX.

Performance

NEFRX vs. NEFZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund (NEFRX) and Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund (NEFZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEFRX achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly higher than NEFZX's -0.13% return. Over the past 10 years, NEFRX has underperformed NEFZX with an annualized return of 2.17%, while NEFZX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.24% annualized return.

NEFRX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.08%
• 1Y: 5.38%
• 3Y*: 3.62%
• 5Y*: 0.04%
• 10Y*: 2.17%

NEFZX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: -0.13%
• 6M: -0.21%
• 1Y: 5.61%
• 3Y*: 7.41%
• 5Y*: 2.26%
• 10Y*: 3.24%

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

NEFRX vs. NEFZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEFRX Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund	0.31%	7.24%	0.60%	5.91%	-12.94%	-1.68%	10.29%	8.76%	-0.86%	4.92%
NEFZX Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund	-0.13%	8.92%	7.05%	8.02%	-12.82%	3.85%	1.15%	10.84%	-3.00%	7.22%

Correlation

The correlation between NEFRX and NEFZX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 1995	0.55

Over the past year, NEFRX and NEFZX have become more correlated (0.83) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

NEFRX vs. NEFZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEFRX

NEFRX Risk / Return Rank: 31
NEFRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
NEFRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
NEFRX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
NEFRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
NEFRX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

NEFZX

NEFZX Risk / Return Rank: 26
NEFZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
NEFZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
NEFZX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
NEFZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NEFZX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

NEFRX vs. NEFZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund (NEFRX) and Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund (NEFZX). 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.

	NEFRX	NEFZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.55	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.24	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.30	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	1.63	+0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.44	5.50	+0.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NEFRX vs. NEFZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEFRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the NEFZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEFRX and NEFZX, 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

	NEFRX	NEFZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.55	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.42	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.63	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	1.12	-0.38

Drawdowns

NEFRX vs. NEFZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEFRX drawdown since its inception was -25.45%, smaller than the maximum NEFZX drawdown of -32.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEFRX and NEFZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEFRX	NEFZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.45%	-32.07%	+6.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.92%	-4.17%	+1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.95%	-5.88%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.55%	-17.19%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.76%	-17.21%	-1.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-1.86%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-3.36%	-0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.17%	1.22%	-0.05%

Volatility

NEFRX vs. NEFZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund (NEFRX) is 1.36%, while Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund (NEFZX) has a volatility of 1.69%. This indicates that NEFRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEFZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEFRX	NEFZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.36%	1.69%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.73%	3.42%	-0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.19%	4.40%	-0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.23%	5.57%	+0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.04%	5.27%	-0.23%

NEFRX vs. NEFZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEFRX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is lower than NEFZX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

NEFRX vs. NEFZX - Dividend Comparison

NEFRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, less than NEFZX's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEFRX Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund	3.61%	3.97%	3.90%	3.58%	3.10%	2.34%	4.04%	2.51%	2.87%	2.68%	3.17%	2.58%
NEFZX Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund	3.96%	3.83%	5.60%	5.37%	6.34%	2.64%	4.20%	3.51%	4.28%	4.06%	4.76%	10.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NEFRX and NEFZX in my portfolio?

NEFRX and NEFZX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NEFRX or NEFZX?

NEFZX has higher volatility (1.69%) compared to NEFRX (1.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NEFRX dropped -25.45% vs NEFZX's -32.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEFRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 1.55), 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.