PFFSX vs. PAGDX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PFFSX (PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund) and PAGDX (Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, PFFSX returned 15.48%/yr vs 19.27%/yr for PAGDX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PFFSX charges 2.03%/yr vs 1.46%/yr for PAGDX.

Performance

PFFSX vs. PAGDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund (PFFSX) and Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PFFSX having a 14.66% return and PAGDX slightly higher at 15.21%.

PFFSX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 4.92%
• YTD: 14.66%
• 6M: 14.66%
• 1Y: 30.53%
• 3Y*: 23.58%
• 5Y*: 15.48%
• 10Y*: —

PAGDX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 8.07%
• YTD: 15.21%
• 6M: 17.84%
• 1Y: 41.67%
• 3Y*: 40.20%
• 5Y*: 19.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

PFFSX vs. PAGDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PFFSX PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund	14.66%	16.17%	30.14%	18.01%	-11.57%	26.30%	24.12%
PAGDX Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A	15.21%	36.58%	44.15%	38.39%	-26.25%	24.53%	62.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PFFSX and PAGDX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2020	0.88

The correlation between PFFSX and PAGDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PFFSX vs. PAGDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFFSX

PFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 64
PFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
PFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
PFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

PAGDX

PAGDX Risk / Return Rank: 75
PAGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PAGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PAGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PAGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PAGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PFFSX vs. PAGDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund (PFFSX) and Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX). 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.

	PFFSX	PAGDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.45	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	3.27	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.42	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	4.58	-1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.11	19.52	-6.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFFSX vs. PAGDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFFSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the PAGDX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFFSX and PAGDX, 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

	PFFSX	PAGDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.45	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.79	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	0.82	+0.18

Drawdowns

PFFSX vs. PAGDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFFSX drawdown since its inception was -24.92%, smaller than the maximum PAGDX drawdown of -38.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFSX and PAGDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFFSX	PAGDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.92%	-38.03%	+13.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.11%	-9.16%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.45%	-26.37%	+4.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.92%	-36.66%	+11.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.86%	+0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-7.36%	+1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	2.15%	+0.20%

Volatility

PFFSX vs. PAGDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund (PFFSX) is 2.86%, while Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX) has a volatility of 4.75%. This indicates that PFFSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PAGDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFFSX	PAGDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	4.75%	-1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.95%	12.95%	-3.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.43%	17.18%	-3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.78%	24.45%	-5.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.79%	24.96%	-6.17%

PFFSX vs. PAGDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFFSX has a 2.03% expense ratio, which is higher than PAGDX's 1.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFFSX vs. PAGDX - Dividend Comparison

PFFSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.00%, more than PAGDX's 0.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAGDX Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A	0.03%	0.03%	5.48%	2.59%	7.53%	6.80%	14.94%	16.97%	12.25%	8.50%
PFFSX PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund	15.00%	17.19%	19.78%	2.40%	10.90%	6.73%	5.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFFSX and PAGDX in my portfolio?

PFFSX and PAGDX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFFSX or PAGDX?

PAGDX has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to PFFSX (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFSX dropped -24.92% vs PAGDX's -38.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAGDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.31), 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.