PCF vs. NCZ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PCF (High Income Securities Fund) and NCZ (Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II) are both Convertible Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PCF returned 6.14%/yr vs 9.31%/yr for NCZ. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PCF vs. NCZ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCF achieves a -5.86% return, which is significantly lower than NCZ's 21.29% return. Over the past 10 years, PCF has underperformed NCZ with an annualized return of 6.14%, while NCZ has yielded a comparatively higher 9.31% annualized return.

PCF

• 1D: -1.09%
• 1M: -1.13%
• YTD: -5.86%
• 6M: -3.98%
• 1Y: -3.67%
• 3Y*: 7.86%
• 5Y*: 0.31%
• 10Y*: 6.14%

NCZ

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 3.64%
• YTD: 21.29%
• 6M: 19.13%
• 1Y: 43.80%
• 3Y*: 23.39%
• 5Y*: 5.95%
• 10Y*: 9.31%

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

PCF vs. NCZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCF High Income Securities Fund	-5.86%	5.31%	16.66%	10.45%	-15.56%	11.44%	8.13%	4.22%	5.46%	14.58%
NCZ Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II	21.29%	23.23%	18.40%	17.75%	-35.93%	9.24%	11.04%	27.19%	-18.66%	24.89%

Correlation

The correlation between PCF and NCZ is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 29, 2003	0.35

Return for Risk

PCF vs. NCZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCF

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

NCZ

NCZ Risk / Return Rank: 83
NCZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
NCZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
NCZ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
NCZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
NCZ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

PCF vs. NCZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PCF	NCZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.33	2.65	-2.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.39	3.46	-3.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	1.46	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.34	3.69	-4.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.85	16.25	-17.10

PCF vs. NCZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCF Sharpe Ratio is -0.33, which is lower than the NCZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCF and NCZ, 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

PCF vs. NCZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCF drawdown since its inception was -53.82%, smaller than the maximum NCZ drawdown of -79.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCF and NCZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCF	NCZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.82%	-79.48%	+25.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.73%	-11.94%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.74%	-19.54%	+5.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.06%	-43.93%	+14.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.13%	-56.08%	+10.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.76%	0.00%	-7.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.49%	-14.32%	+3.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.32%	2.70%	+1.62%

Volatility

PCF vs. NCZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for High Income Securities Fund (PCF) is 4.43%, while Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II (NCZ) has a volatility of 5.01%. This indicates that PCF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NCZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCF	NCZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	5.01%	-0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.59%	13.05%	-3.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.10%	16.61%	-5.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.03%	21.37%	-5.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.53%	24.28%	-6.75%

Dividends

PCF vs. NCZ - Dividend Comparison

PCF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.91%, more than NCZ's 9.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NCZ Virtus Convertible and Income Fund II	9.05%	10.45%	11.50%	12.84%	15.62%	8.82%	9.28%	11.28%	15.33%	13.80%	12.08%	18.02%
PCF High Income Securities Fund	12.91%	11.57%	11.29%	11.29%	13.48%	10.82%	11.46%	3.29%	6.88%	3.97%	4.52%	5.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCF and NCZ in my portfolio?

PCF and NCZ have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCF or NCZ?

NCZ has higher volatility (5.01%) compared to PCF (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCF dropped -53.82% vs NCZ's -79.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NCZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs -0.33), 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.