NPCT vs. RCS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NPCT (Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund) and RCS (PIMCO Strategic Income Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, NPCT returned -3.29%/yr vs 2.25%/yr for RCS. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NPCT vs. RCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT) and PIMCO Strategic Income Fund (RCS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NPCT achieves a 2.11% return, which is significantly higher than RCS's 1.35% return.

NPCT

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: -4.71%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: -0.13%
• 1Y: 1.71%
• 3Y*: 11.99%
• 5Y*: -3.29%
• 10Y*: —

RCS

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: -13.45%
• 1Y: -11.19%
• 3Y*: 11.44%
• 5Y*: 2.25%
• 10Y*: 3.51%

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

NPCT vs. RCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NPCT Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund	2.11%	9.87%	17.23%	7.78%	-37.50%	-4.98%
RCS PIMCO Strategic Income Fund	1.35%	-21.48%	37.47%	37.60%	-18.72%	-4.23%

Correlation

The correlation between NPCT and RCS is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2021	0.31

Return for Risk

NPCT vs. RCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

NPCT

NPCT Risk / Return Rank: 4
NPCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Omega Ratio Rank: 3
NPCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
NPCT Martin Ratio Rank: 4

RCS

RCS Risk / Return Rank: 1
RCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
RCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
RCS Omega Ratio Rank: 1
RCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
RCS Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

NPCT vs. RCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT) and PIMCO Strategic Income Fund (RCS). 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.

	NPCT	RCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.17	-0.47	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	-0.51	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	0.93	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.25	-0.34	+0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.64	-0.61	+1.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NPCT vs. RCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NPCT Sharpe Ratio is 0.17, which is higher than the RCS Sharpe Ratio of -0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NPCT and RCS, 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

	NPCT	RCS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17	-0.47	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.25	0.09	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.26	0.28	-0.54

Drawdowns

NPCT vs. RCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NPCT drawdown since its inception was -46.77%, roughly equal to the maximum RCS drawdown of -46.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NPCT and RCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	NPCT	RCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.77%	-46.69%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.79%	-32.94%	+26.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.59%	-32.94%	+20.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.77%	-36.18%	-10.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.10%	-27.70%	+10.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.23%	-9.38%	-15.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	18.48%	-15.78%

Volatility

NPCT vs. RCS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT) is 3.26%, while PIMCO Strategic Income Fund (RCS) has a volatility of 7.20%. This indicates that NPCT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RCS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NPCT	RCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.26%	7.20%	-3.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.15%	21.18%	-14.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.83%	23.98%	-14.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.12%	25.24%	-12.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.07%	25.83%	-12.76%

Dividends

NPCT vs. RCS - Dividend Comparison

NPCT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.50%, more than RCS's 8.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NPCT Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund	12.50%	13.15%	12.20%	10.28%	11.93%	3.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RCS PIMCO Strategic Income Fund	8.81%	8.62%	8.03%	10.07%	12.39%	9.01%	9.57%	8.44%	8.93%	9.50%	10.92%	11.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NPCT and RCS in my portfolio?

NPCT and RCS have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NPCT or RCS?

RCS has higher volatility (7.20%) compared to NPCT (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NPCT dropped -46.77% vs RCS's -46.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NPCT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.17 vs -0.47), 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.