NEFZX vs. NEFRX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NEFZX (Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund) and NEFRX (Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - NEFZX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by Natixis, while NEFRX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by Natixis. Over the past 10 years, NEFZX returned 3.23%/yr vs 2.16%/yr for NEFRX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NEFZX charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for NEFRX.

Performance

NEFZX vs. NEFRX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEFZX achieves a -0.21% return, which is significantly lower than NEFRX's 0.22% return. Over the past 10 years, NEFZX has outperformed NEFRX with an annualized return of 3.23%, while NEFRX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.16% annualized return.

NEFZX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: -0.21%
• 6M: -0.06%
• 1Y: 5.52%
• 3Y*: 7.38%
• 5Y*: 2.21%
• 10Y*: 3.23%

NEFRX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 0.22%
• 6M: 0.16%
• 1Y: 5.29%
• 3Y*: 3.59%
• 5Y*: -0.01%
• 10Y*: 2.16%

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

NEFZX vs. NEFRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEFZX Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund	-0.21%	8.92%	7.05%	8.02%	-12.82%	3.85%	1.15%	10.84%	-3.00%	7.22%
NEFRX Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund	0.22%	7.24%	0.60%	5.91%	-12.94%	-1.68%	10.29%	8.76%	-0.86%	4.92%

Correlation

The correlation between NEFZX and NEFRX 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, NEFZX and NEFRX have become more correlated (0.83) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

NEFZX vs. NEFRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEFZX

NEFZX Risk / Return Rank: 24
NEFZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
NEFZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
NEFZX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
NEFZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
NEFZX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

NEFRX

NEFRX Risk / Return Rank: 24
NEFRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
NEFRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
NEFRX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
NEFRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NEFRX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

NEFZX vs. NEFRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	NEFZX	NEFRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.50	0.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.31	-0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.27	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.58	1.70	-0.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.43	4.54	+0.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NEFZX vs. NEFRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEFZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the NEFRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEFZX and NEFRX, 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

	NEFZX	NEFRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	1.50	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	-0.00	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.44	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	0.73	+0.38

Drawdowns

NEFZX vs. NEFRX - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	NEFZX	NEFRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.07%	-25.45%	-6.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.17%	-2.92%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.88%	-7.95%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.19%	-18.55%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.21%	-18.76%	+1.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.94%	-1.98%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.36%	-3.97%	+0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	1.17%	+0.04%

Volatility

NEFZX vs. NEFRX - Volatility Comparison

Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund (NEFZX) has a higher volatility of 1.69% compared to Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund (NEFRX) at 1.36%. This indicates that NEFZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NEFRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEFZX	NEFRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.69%	1.36%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.42%	2.78%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.41%	4.20%	+0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.57%	6.23%	-0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.27%	5.04%	+0.23%

NEFZX vs. NEFRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

NEFZX vs. NEFRX - Dividend Comparison

NEFZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.96%, more than NEFRX's 3.61% 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 NEFZX and NEFRX in my portfolio?

NEFZX and NEFRX 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, NEFZX or NEFRX?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEFZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.50), 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.