PCF vs. PIM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PCF (High Income Securities Fund) and PIM (Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust) are both mutual funds - PCF is a Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Putnam Investments, while PIM is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Putnam Investments. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, PCF returned 6.21%/yr vs 4.40%/yr for PIM. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PCF vs. PIM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in High Income Securities Fund (PCF) and Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust (PIM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCF achieves a -3.92% return, which is significantly lower than PIM's -1.50% return. Over the past 10 years, PCF has outperformed PIM with an annualized return of 6.21%, while PIM has yielded a comparatively lower 4.40% annualized return.

PCF

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: -3.92%
• 6M: -4.38%
• 1Y: 0.18%
• 3Y*: 9.00%
• 5Y*: 0.28%
• 10Y*: 6.21%

PIM

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: -0.24%
• YTD: -1.50%
• 6M: -1.12%
• 1Y: 2.82%
• 3Y*: 8.26%
• 5Y*: 2.06%
• 10Y*: 4.40%

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

PCF vs. PIM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCF High Income Securities Fund	-3.92%	5.31%	16.66%	10.45%	-15.56%	11.44%	8.13%	4.22%	5.46%	14.58%
PIM Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust	-1.50%	10.91%	10.88%	8.45%	-12.49%	-0.44%	-2.97%	20.68%	-5.10%	10.52%

Correlation

The correlation between PCF and PIM is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 1988	0.14

The correlation between PCF and PIM shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (all time) to 0.31 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PCF vs. PIM — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCF

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

PIM

PIM Risk / Return Rank: 5
PIM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
PIM Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PIM Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PIM Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PIM Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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. PIM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for High Income Securities Fund (PCF) and Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust (PIM). 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.

	PCF	PIM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.02	0.25	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.10	0.49	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.05	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.02	0.44	-0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.04	1.02	-0.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PCF vs. PIM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCF Sharpe Ratio is 0.02, which is lower than the PIM Sharpe Ratio of 0.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCF and PIM, 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

	PCF	PIM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02	0.25	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.19	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.34	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.17	+0.07

Drawdowns

PCF vs. PIM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCF drawdown since its inception was -53.82%, which is greater than PIM's maximum drawdown of -43.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCF and PIM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCF	PIM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.82%	-43.27%	-10.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.73%	-6.45%	-4.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.74%	-7.91%	-5.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.06%	-18.39%	-10.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.13%	-28.15%	-16.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.86%	-3.52%	-2.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.50%	-9.53%	-0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.08%	2.76%	+1.32%

Volatility

PCF vs. PIM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for High Income Securities Fund (PCF) is 2.55%, while Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust (PIM) has a volatility of 3.82%. This indicates that PCF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PIM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCF	PIM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	3.82%	-1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.01%	8.68%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.49%	11.29%	-0.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.96%	10.73%	+5.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.49%	13.11%	+4.38%

Dividends

PCF vs. PIM - Dividend Comparison

PCF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.55%, more than PIM's 8.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCF High Income Securities Fund	12.55%	11.57%	11.29%	11.29%	13.48%	10.82%	11.46%	3.29%	6.88%	3.97%	4.52%	5.07%
PIM Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust	8.30%	7.90%	8.10%	8.28%	8.25%	6.68%	8.32%	7.59%	6.82%	6.54%	6.77%	6.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCF and PIM in my portfolio?

PCF and PIM have a correlation of 0.30, 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 PIM?

PIM has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to PCF (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCF dropped -53.82% vs PIM's -43.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.25 vs 0.02), 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.