PCEF vs. NSTLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PCEF (Invesco CEF Income Composite ETF) and NSTLX (Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund) are both funds - PCEF is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the S-Network Composite Closed-End Fund Index, while NSTLX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by Neuberger Berman. Over the past 10 years, PCEF returned 7.33%/yr vs 4.06%/yr for NSTLX. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PCEF charges 2.71%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for NSTLX.

Performance

PCEF vs. NSTLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco CEF Income Composite ETF (PCEF) and Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund (NSTLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCEF achieves a 4.88% return, which is significantly higher than NSTLX's 0.76% return. Over the past 10 years, PCEF has outperformed NSTLX with an annualized return of 7.33%, while NSTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.06% annualized return.

PCEF

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 2.15%
• YTD: 4.88%
• 6M: 5.42%
• 1Y: 14.12%
• 3Y*: 13.61%
• 5Y*: 4.82%
• 10Y*: 7.33%

NSTLX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 6M: 1.02%
• 1Y: 6.82%
• 3Y*: 7.40%
• 5Y*: 2.81%
• 10Y*: 4.06%

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

PCEF vs. NSTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCEF Invesco CEF Income Composite ETF	4.88%	12.59%	16.70%	9.39%	-18.66%	15.38%	4.61%	24.08%	-8.88%	14.48%
NSTLX Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund	0.76%	9.44%	6.02%	10.07%	-11.81%	2.94%	7.78%	10.55%	-2.34%	7.00%

Correlation

The correlation between PCEF and NSTLX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2010	0.37

The correlation between PCEF and NSTLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (all time) to 0.52 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PCEF vs. NSTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCEF

PCEF Risk / Return Rank: 45
PCEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
PCEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
PCEF Omega Ratio Rank: 49
PCEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PCEF Martin Ratio Rank: 48

NSTLX

NSTLX Risk / Return Rank: 40
NSTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
NSTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
NSTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NSTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
NSTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

PCEF vs. NSTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco CEF Income Composite ETF (PCEF) and Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund (NSTLX). 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.

	PCEF	NSTLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.90	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.96	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	2.09	-0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.00	7.61	+0.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PCEF vs. NSTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the NSTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCEF and NSTLX, 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

	PCEF	NSTLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.90	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.56	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.82	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.87	-0.30

Drawdowns

PCEF vs. NSTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCEF drawdown since its inception was -38.64%, which is greater than NSTLX's maximum drawdown of -19.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCEF and NSTLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCEF	NSTLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.64%	-19.00%	-19.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.30%	-3.30%	-5.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.09%	-4.85%	-9.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.25%	-16.65%	-7.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.64%	-19.00%	-19.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.86%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.47%	-2.70%	-1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.77%	0.90%	+0.87%

Volatility

PCEF vs. NSTLX - Volatility Comparison

Invesco CEF Income Composite ETF (PCEF) has a higher volatility of 2.50% compared to Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund (NSTLX) at 1.42%. This indicates that PCEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NSTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCEF	NSTLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.50%	1.42%	+1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.30%	2.90%	+4.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.61%	3.62%	+4.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.48%	5.06%	+6.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.29%	4.99%	+8.30%

PCEF vs. NSTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCEF has a 2.71% expense ratio, which is higher than NSTLX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCEF vs. NSTLX - Dividend Comparison

PCEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.73%, more than NSTLX's 5.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSTLX Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund	5.54%	5.46%	5.31%	5.38%	3.92%	6.29%	3.81%	4.02%	4.33%	3.64%	3.54%	4.09%
PCEF Invesco CEF Income Composite ETF	7.73%	7.96%	8.79%	9.86%	8.93%	6.67%	7.54%	7.12%	8.21%	6.96%	7.72%	9.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCEF and NSTLX in my portfolio?

PCEF and NSTLX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCEF or NSTLX?

PCEF has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to NSTLX (1.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCEF dropped -38.64% vs NSTLX's -19.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSTLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.65), 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.