PCM vs. PTTRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PCM (PCM Fund Inc.) and PTTRX (PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - PCM is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by PIMCO, while PTTRX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PCM returned 5.30%/yr vs 2.31%/yr for PTTRX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PCM vs. PTTRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PCM Fund Inc. (PCM) and PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCM achieves a -2.68% return, which is significantly lower than PTTRX's 0.64% return. Over the past 10 years, PCM has outperformed PTTRX with an annualized return of 5.30%, while PTTRX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.31% annualized return.

PCM

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -2.02%
• YTD: -2.68%
• 6M: -2.78%
• 1Y: 2.32%
• 3Y*: -4.26%
• 5Y*: -3.71%
• 10Y*: 5.30%

PTTRX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.81%
• 1Y: 7.46%
• 3Y*: 5.45%
• 5Y*: 0.76%
• 10Y*: 2.31%

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

PCM vs. PTTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCM PCM Fund Inc.	-2.68%	-10.10%	8.81%	12.44%	-18.96%	8.57%	3.05%	23.05%	-4.47%	26.46%
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	0.64%	9.35%	2.62%	6.33%	-14.72%	-0.59%	8.88%	8.36%	-0.24%	5.13%

Correlation

The correlation between PCM and PTTRX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 1993	0.08

Over the past year, PCM and PTTRX have become more correlated (0.29) than their long-term average of 0.08, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PCM vs. PTTRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCM

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

PTTRX

PTTRX Risk / Return Rank: 30
PTTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
PTTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
PTTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
PTTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
PTTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

PCM vs. PTTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PCM Fund Inc. (PCM) and PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX). 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.

	PCM	PTTRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.20	1.59	-1.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	2.34	-2.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.29	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.18	2.00	-1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.39	6.20	-5.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PCM vs. PTTRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCM Sharpe Ratio is 0.20, which is lower than the PTTRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCM and PTTRX, 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

	PCM	PTTRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20	1.59	-1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.18	0.12	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	0.44	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	1.15	-0.90

Drawdowns

PCM vs. PTTRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCM drawdown since its inception was -64.88%, which is greater than PTTRX's maximum drawdown of -19.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCM and PTTRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCM	PTTRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.88%	-19.28%	-45.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.81%	-3.69%	-9.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.62%	-6.18%	-23.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.62%	-19.28%	-10.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.69%	-19.28%	-28.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.62%	-1.49%	-20.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.72%	-2.19%	-7.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.96%	1.19%	+4.77%

Volatility

PCM vs. PTTRX - Volatility Comparison

PCM Fund Inc. (PCM) has a higher volatility of 3.38% compared to PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) at 1.81%. This indicates that PCM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTTRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCM	PTTRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.38%	1.81%	+1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.79%	3.54%	+4.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.46%	4.66%	+6.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.34%	6.27%	+14.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.72%	5.23%	+17.49%

Dividends

PCM vs. PTTRX - Dividend Comparison

PCM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.62%, more than PTTRX's 4.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCM PCM Fund Inc.	13.62%	12.56%	12.47%	12.06%	12.20%	8.96%	8.95%	8.38%	9.46%	8.47%	14.60%	10.39%
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	4.54%	4.47%	4.61%	3.81%	3.63%	2.59%	6.11%	3.96%	3.13%	2.63%	3.02%	6.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCM and PTTRX in my portfolio?

PCM and PTTRX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCM or PTTRX?

PCM has higher volatility (3.38%) compared to PTTRX (1.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCM dropped -64.88% vs PTTRX's -19.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTTRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 0.20), 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.