PEQIX vs. ACIIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PEQIX (Pioneer Equity Income Fund) and ACIIX (American Century Equity Income Fund Class I) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PEQIX returned 9.26%/yr vs 8.88%/yr for ACIIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PEQIX charges 1.02%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for ACIIX.

Performance

PEQIX vs. ACIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pioneer Equity Income Fund (PEQIX) and American Century Equity Income Fund Class I (ACIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PEQIX achieves a 9.48% return, which is significantly higher than ACIIX's 6.29% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PEQIX having a 9.26% annualized return and ACIIX not far behind at 8.88%.

PEQIX

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 3.32%
• YTD: 9.48%
• 6M: 10.46%
• 1Y: 21.31%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 7.11%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

ACIIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.33%
• YTD: 6.29%
• 6M: 6.70%
• 1Y: 15.99%
• 3Y*: 10.83%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 8.88%

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

PEQIX vs. ACIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PEQIX Pioneer Equity Income Fund	9.48%	11.30%	11.18%	6.84%	-8.08%	25.28%	-0.20%	25.46%	-8.93%	15.00%
ACIIX American Century Equity Income Fund Class I	6.29%	12.05%	10.58%	4.25%	-2.96%	17.16%	1.19%	24.50%	-3.53%	13.69%

Correlation

The correlation between PEQIX and ACIIX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 1998	0.92

The correlation between PEQIX and ACIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PEQIX vs. ACIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEQIX

PEQIX Risk / Return Rank: 41
PEQIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
PEQIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
PEQIX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
PEQIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PEQIX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

ACIIX

ACIIX Risk / Return Rank: 40
ACIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
ACIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
ACIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ACIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
ACIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

PEQIX vs. ACIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pioneer Equity Income Fund (PEQIX) and American Century Equity Income Fund Class I (ACIIX). 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.

	PEQIX	ACIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	1.85	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.79	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.32	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	2.43	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.28	7.98	+0.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PEQIX vs. ACIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEQIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the ACIIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEQIX and ACIIX, 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

	PEQIX	ACIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	1.85	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.65	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.67	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.54	+0.04

Drawdowns

PEQIX vs. ACIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEQIX drawdown since its inception was -54.08%, which is greater than ACIIX's maximum drawdown of -39.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEQIX and ACIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEQIX	ACIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.08%	-39.16%	-14.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.01%	-6.38%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.84%	-10.15%	-6.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.24%	-13.49%	-6.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.93%	-32.76%	-5.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-2.46%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.58%	-5.24%	-1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	1.94%	+0.57%

Volatility

PEQIX vs. ACIIX - Volatility Comparison

Pioneer Equity Income Fund (PEQIX) has a higher volatility of 2.47% compared to American Century Equity Income Fund Class I (ACIIX) at 2.09%. This indicates that PEQIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEQIX	ACIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	2.09%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.23%	6.08%	+2.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.40%	8.37%	+3.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.28%	10.76%	+4.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.18%	13.38%	+3.80%

PEQIX vs. ACIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEQIX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is higher than ACIIX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEQIX vs. ACIIX - Dividend Comparison

PEQIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.21%, less than ACIIX's 9.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACIIX American Century Equity Income Fund Class I	9.94%	10.55%	11.71%	8.21%	8.96%	7.02%	2.18%	7.57%	9.05%	12.14%	8.08%	10.72%
PEQIX Pioneer Equity Income Fund	8.21%	9.08%	40.97%	17.42%	12.72%	9.34%	1.59%	4.00%	7.75%	5.31%	13.11%	10.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEQIX and ACIIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, PEQIX and ACIIX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PEQIX or ACIIX?

PEQIX has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to ACIIX (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEQIX dropped -54.08% vs ACIIX's -39.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.83), 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.