PDI vs. VIG

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) is a stock, while VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Over the past 10 years, PDI returned 7.51%/yr vs 13.17%/yr for VIG. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PDI vs. VIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (PDI) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDI achieves a -0.56% return, which is significantly lower than VIG's 7.43% return. Over the past 10 years, PDI has underperformed VIG with an annualized return of 7.51%, while VIG has yielded a comparatively higher 13.17% annualized return.

PDI

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: -0.56%
• 6M: -0.56%
• 1Y: 0.87%
• 3Y*: 10.94%
• 5Y*: 2.62%
• 10Y*: 7.51%

VIG

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 7.43%
• 6M: 7.43%
• 1Y: 20.16%
• 3Y*: 15.47%
• 5Y*: 11.39%
• 10Y*: 13.17%

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

PDI vs. VIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDI PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund	-0.56%	11.03%	17.18%	11.99%	-16.99%	7.81%	-9.96%	22.23%	7.35%	18.59%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	7.43%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	23.76%	15.43%	29.62%	-2.08%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between PDI and VIG is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2012	0.35

Return for Risk

PDI vs. VIG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDI

PDI Risk / Return Rank: 42
PDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
PDI Omega Ratio Rank: 38
PDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
PDI Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 61
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

PDI vs. VIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (PDI) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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.

	PDI	VIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.12	1.99	-1.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.23	2.87	-2.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.35	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.12	2.54	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.26	10.27	-10.01

PDI vs. VIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDI Sharpe Ratio is 0.12, which is lower than the VIG Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDI and VIG, 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

PDI vs. VIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDI drawdown since its inception was -46.47%, roughly equal to the maximum VIG drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDI and VIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDI	VIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.47%	-46.81%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.95%	-7.91%	-3.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.55%	-14.95%	-2.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.19%	-20.39%	-6.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.47%	-31.72%	-14.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.34%	-0.72%	-7.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.22%	-5.50%	-0.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.18%	1.95%	+3.23%

Volatility

PDI vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (PDI) has a higher volatility of 3.19% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) at 2.86%. This indicates that PDI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDI	VIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	2.86%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.47%	7.71%	+0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.43%	10.13%	+1.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.55%	14.24%	+1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.04%	16.06%	+2.98%

Dividends

PDI vs. VIG - Dividend Comparison

PDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.20%, more than VIG's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDI PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund	16.20%	14.94%	14.43%	14.74%	17.84%	10.21%	10.01%	9.45%	10.78%	8.81%	14.79%	18.70%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.47%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDI and VIG in my portfolio?

PDI and VIG have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDI or VIG?

PDI has higher volatility (3.19%) compared to VIG (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDI dropped -46.47% vs VIG's -46.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 0.12), 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.