PCTIX vs. PFN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PCTIX (PIMCO California Municipal Bond Fund) and PFN (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II) are both mutual funds - PCTIX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by PIMCO, while PFN is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PCTIX returned 2.37%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for PFN. Their 0.13 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PCTIX charges 0.44%/yr vs 1.86%/yr for PFN.

Performance

PCTIX vs. PFN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO California Municipal Bond Fund (PCTIX) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCTIX achieves a 0.38% return, which is significantly lower than PFN's 1.44% return. Over the past 10 years, PCTIX has underperformed PFN with an annualized return of 2.37%, while PFN has yielded a comparatively higher 8.03% annualized return.

PCTIX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -2.13%
• 6M: -0.29%
• YTD: 0.38%
• 1Y: 5.51%
• 3Y*: 4.01%
• 5Y*: 0.61%
• 10Y*: 2.37%
• ALL TIME*: 3.19%

PFN

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 0.45%
• 6M: 1.42%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 1Y: 5.96%
• 3Y*: 11.94%
• 5Y*: 1.98%
• 10Y*: 8.03%
• ALL TIME*: 6.03%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PCTIX PIMCO California Municipal Bond Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	$2.67M	$4.67M	$3.40M

PCTIX vs. PFN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCTIX PIMCO California Municipal Bond Fund	0.38%	3.92%	3.12%	7.98%	-10.90%	1.96%	6.89%	9.11%	1.11%	7.30%
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	1.44%	13.07%	15.72%	15.43%	-17.65%	5.14%	3.97%	21.84%	0.94%	20.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PCTIX and PFN is 0.21, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2012	0.13

Return for Risk

PCTIX vs. PFN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PCTIX

PCTIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
PCTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PCTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PCTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
PCTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
PCTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

PFN

PFN Risk / Return Rank: 13
PFN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
PFN Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
PFN Omega Ratio Rank: 14
PFN Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
PFN Martin Ratio Rank: 13

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PCTIX vs. PFN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO California Municipal Bond Fund (PCTIX) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN). 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.

	PCTIX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	0.58	+1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	0.90	+2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.11	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	0.56	+1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.06	2.01	+5.04

PCTIX vs. PFN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the PFN Sharpe Ratio of 0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCTIX and PFN, 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

PCTIX vs. PFN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCTIX drawdown since its inception was -16.98%, smaller than the maximum PFN drawdown of -80.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCTIX and PFN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCTIX	PFN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.98%	-80.08%	+63.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-10.77%	+8.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.44%	-14.31%	+8.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.96%	-33.45%	+16.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.98%	-45.70%	+28.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.13%	-0.98%	-1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.66%	-11.75%	+9.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	2.96%	-2.12%

Volatility

PCTIX vs. PFN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO California Municipal Bond Fund (PCTIX) is 0.87%, while PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN) has a volatility of 1.76%. This indicates that PCTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCTIX	PFN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.87%	1.76%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.24%	8.86%	-6.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.89%	10.31%	-7.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.45%	14.55%	-10.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.42%	18.18%	-13.76%

PCTIX vs. PFN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCTIX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is lower than PFN's 1.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCTIX vs. PFN - Dividend Comparison

PCTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%, less than PFN's 12.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCTIX PIMCO California Municipal Bond Fund	3.39%	3.60%	3.73%	3.47%	1.97%	1.76%	2.01%	2.63%	2.97%	3.04%	2.95%	2.81%
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	12.15%	11.49%	11.57%	11.92%	12.19%	9.71%	9.67%	9.07%	10.81%	9.20%	10.12%	11.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCTIX and PFN in my portfolio?

PCTIX and PFN have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCTIX or PFN?

PFN has higher volatility (1.76%) compared to PCTIX (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCTIX dropped -16.98% vs PFN's -80.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 0.58), 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.