PDFDX vs. PHSZX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PDFDX (Perkins Discovery Fund) and PHSZX (PGIM Jennison Health Sciences Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PDFDX returned 10.62%/yr vs 13.89%/yr for PHSZX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PDFDX charges 2.50%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for PHSZX.

Performance

PDFDX vs. PHSZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Perkins Discovery Fund (PDFDX) and PGIM Jennison Health Sciences Fund (PHSZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDFDX achieves a 4.69% return, which is significantly higher than PHSZX's 1.13% return. Over the past 10 years, PDFDX has underperformed PHSZX with an annualized return of 10.62%, while PHSZX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.89% annualized return.

PDFDX

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 3.89%
• YTD: 4.69%
• 6M: 3.16%
• 1Y: 33.98%
• 3Y*: 9.14%
• 5Y*: -5.62%
• 10Y*: 10.62%

PHSZX

• 1D: 2.48%
• 1M: 2.88%
• YTD: 1.13%
• 6M: 0.15%
• 1Y: 29.31%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 13.89%

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

PDFDX vs. PHSZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDFDX Perkins Discovery Fund	4.69%	9.94%	19.19%	10.77%	-39.93%	2.11%	62.16%	15.01%	22.19%	11.58%
PHSZX PGIM Jennison Health Sciences Fund	1.13%	19.73%	23.04%	12.50%	-10.06%	6.09%	41.72%	18.62%	-3.77%	31.41%

Correlation

The correlation between PDFDX and PHSZX is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 1999	0.59

The correlation between PDFDX and PHSZX shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.68 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PDFDX vs. PHSZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDFDX

PDFDX Risk / Return Rank: 25
PDFDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PDFDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
PDFDX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
PDFDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
PDFDX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

PHSZX

PHSZX Risk / Return Rank: 37
PHSZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
PHSZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PHSZX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
PHSZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
PHSZX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

PDFDX vs. PHSZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Perkins Discovery Fund (PDFDX) and PGIM Jennison Health Sciences Fund (PHSZX). 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.

	PDFDX	PHSZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.65	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.38	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.28	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	2.45	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.51	7.16	-2.65

PDFDX vs. PHSZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDFDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the PHSZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDFDX and PHSZX, 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

PDFDX vs. PHSZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDFDX drawdown since its inception was -67.44%, which is greater than PHSZX's maximum drawdown of -42.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDFDX and PHSZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDFDX	PHSZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.44%	-42.77%	-24.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.11%	-12.24%	-9.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.75%	-22.06%	-9.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.95%	-29.36%	-30.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-62.70%	-30.92%	-31.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.92%	-1.88%	-31.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.73%	-9.92%	-15.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.81%	4.18%	+3.63%

Volatility

PDFDX vs. PHSZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Perkins Discovery Fund (PDFDX) is 4.49%, while PGIM Jennison Health Sciences Fund (PHSZX) has a volatility of 6.87%. This indicates that PDFDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PHSZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDFDX	PHSZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	6.87%	-2.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.89%	14.19%	+3.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.94%	18.27%	+7.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.78%	21.94%	+7.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.96%	23.17%	+5.79%

PDFDX vs. PHSZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDFDX has a 2.50% expense ratio, which is higher than PHSZX's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDFDX vs. PHSZX - Dividend Comparison

PDFDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.35%, less than PHSZX's 10.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDFDX Perkins Discovery Fund	9.35%	4.25%	0.00%	0.00%	1.78%	31.11%	1.71%	0.00%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PHSZX PGIM Jennison Health Sciences Fund	10.81%	10.93%	23.93%	4.26%	1.48%	29.82%	20.26%	2.92%	11.21%	4.43%	3.44%	13.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDFDX and PHSZX in my portfolio?

PDFDX and PHSZX have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDFDX or PHSZX?

PHSZX has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to PDFDX (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDFDX dropped -67.44% vs PHSZX's -42.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PHSZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.37), 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.