PDPAX vs. PDSYX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PDPAX (Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Asset Fund) and PDSYX (Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund) are both Global Allocation funds. Over the past 5 years, PDPAX returned 8.50%/yr vs 3.61%/yr for PDSYX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDPAX charges 0.81%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for PDSYX.

Performance

PDPAX vs. PDSYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Asset Fund (PDPAX) and Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund (PDSYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDPAX achieves a 10.41% return, which is significantly higher than PDSYX's 4.81% return.

PDPAX

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: -2.36%
• YTD: 10.41%
• 6M: 10.82%
• 1Y: 18.46%
• 3Y*: 14.31%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: 7.10%

PDSYX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -0.38%
• YTD: 4.81%
• 6M: 4.78%
• 1Y: 9.17%
• 3Y*: 6.04%
• 5Y*: 3.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

PDPAX vs. PDSYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PDPAX Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Asset Fund	10.41%	15.90%	9.45%	4.73%	-2.66%	21.15%	-3.18%	2.38%
PDSYX Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund	4.81%	7.90%	3.65%	2.45%	-5.36%	14.81%	2.43%	4.08%

Correlation

The correlation between PDPAX and PDSYX is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 12, 2019	0.86

The correlation between PDPAX and PDSYX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDPAX vs. PDSYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDPAX

PDPAX Risk / Return Rank: 50
PDPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
PDPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
PDPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
PDPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
PDPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

PDSYX

PDSYX Risk / Return Rank: 93
PDSYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PDSYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
PDSYX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PDSYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
PDSYX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

PDPAX vs. PDSYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Asset Fund (PDPAX) and Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund (PDSYX). 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.

	PDPAX	PDSYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	3.16	-1.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	4.99	-2.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.65	-0.27
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	4.84	-2.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.46	21.30	-9.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDPAX vs. PDSYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDPAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is lower than the PDSYX Sharpe Ratio of 3.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDPAX and PDSYX, 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

	PDPAX	PDSYX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	3.16	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.57	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.57	-0.24

Drawdowns

PDPAX vs. PDSYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDPAX drawdown since its inception was -43.40%, which is greater than PDSYX's maximum drawdown of -30.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDPAX and PDSYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDPAX	PDSYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.40%	-30.01%	-13.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.08%	-1.98%	-5.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.66%	-5.84%	-4.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.87%	-10.95%	-7.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.96%	-0.59%	-2.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.62%	-4.36%	-3.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	0.45%	+1.28%

Volatility

PDPAX vs. PDSYX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Asset Fund (PDPAX) has a higher volatility of 2.55% compared to Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund (PDSYX) at 0.91%. This indicates that PDPAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PDSYX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDPAX	PDSYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	0.91%	+1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.50%	2.39%	+5.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.43%	2.98%	+6.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.17%	6.33%	+6.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.88%	8.72%	+4.16%

PDPAX vs. PDSYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDPAX has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is lower than PDSYX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDPAX vs. PDSYX - Dividend Comparison

PDPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than PDSYX's 1.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDPAX Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Asset Fund	1.61%	1.77%	3.65%	2.08%	1.06%	0.76%	0.68%	3.09%	2.38%	1.92%	0.80%	1.13%
PDSYX Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund	1.77%	1.85%	2.18%	2.06%	1.58%	7.46%	2.70%	1.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDPAX and PDSYX in my portfolio?

PDPAX and PDSYX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDPAX or PDSYX?

PDPAX has higher volatility (2.55%) compared to PDSYX (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDPAX dropped -43.40% vs PDSYX's -30.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDSYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.16 vs 2.06), 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.