PCN vs. PFL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PCN (PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund) and PFL (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund) are both Multisector Bonds funds from PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PCN returned 7.14%/yr vs 7.87%/yr for PFL. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PCN vs. PFL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (PCN) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PCN having a -4.37% return and PFL slightly higher at -4.28%. Over the past 10 years, PCN has underperformed PFL with an annualized return of 7.14%, while PFL has yielded a comparatively higher 7.87% annualized return.

PCN

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: -2.08%
• YTD: -4.37%
• 6M: -2.52%
• 1Y: 1.37%
• 3Y*: 7.28%
• 5Y*: 0.63%
• 10Y*: 7.14%

PFL

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: -3.50%
• YTD: -4.28%
• 6M: -4.04%
• 1Y: 3.13%
• 3Y*: 10.43%
• 5Y*: 0.84%
• 10Y*: 7.87%

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

PCN vs. PFL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCN PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund	-4.37%	5.55%	19.52%	16.22%	-22.88%	6.93%	-2.19%	39.10%	-5.94%	26.20%
PFL PIMCO Income Strategy Fund	-4.28%	13.03%	11.51%	17.29%	-17.92%	4.62%	7.11%	19.65%	2.06%	21.26%

Correlation

The correlation between PCN and PFL is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2003	0.41

The correlation between PCN and PFL shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (all time) to 0.57 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PCN vs. PFL — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCN

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

PFL

PFL Risk / Return Rank: 5
PFL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PFL Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PFL Omega Ratio Rank: 5
PFL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PFL Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

PCN vs. PFL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (PCN) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL). 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.

	PCN	PFL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	0.35	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.27	0.54	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.08	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.13	0.41	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.39	1.40	-1.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PCN vs. PFL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCN Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is lower than the PFL Sharpe Ratio of 0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCN and PFL, 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

	PCN	PFL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14	0.35	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.06	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.43	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.30	+0.09

Drawdowns

PCN vs. PFL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCN drawdown since its inception was -61.12%, smaller than the maximum PFL drawdown of -77.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCN and PFL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCN	PFL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.12%	-77.97%	+16.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-7.64%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.53%	-13.21%	-9.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.39%	-33.30%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.27%	-48.40%	-1.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.87%	-6.11%	-0.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.20%	-11.00%	+3.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	2.24%	+1.32%

Volatility

PCN vs. PFL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (PCN) is 2.35%, while PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) has a volatility of 2.88%. This indicates that PCN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCN	PFL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.35%	2.88%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.97%	7.85%	-0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.61%	9.00%	+0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	13.72%	+2.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.94%	18.34%	+3.60%

Dividends

PCN vs. PFL - Dividend Comparison

PCN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.58%, less than PFL's 12.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCN PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund	11.58%	10.58%	10.06%	10.88%	12.66%	7.89%	7.83%	7.37%	9.60%	7.85%	11.98%	10.22%
PFL PIMCO Income Strategy Fund	12.72%	11.59%	11.66%	11.57%	12.04%	9.53%	9.44%	9.11%	9.94%	9.25%	10.22%	11.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCN and PFL in my portfolio?

PCN and PFL have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCN or PFL?

PFL has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to PCN (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCN dropped -61.12% vs PFL's -77.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.35 vs 0.14), 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.