PFL vs. DSU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PFL (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund) and DSU (BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.) are both mutual funds - PFL is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by PIMCO, while DSU is a Bank Loan fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, PFL returned 7.87%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for DSU. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PFL vs. DSU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) and BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFL achieves a -4.28% return, which is significantly lower than DSU's 0.34% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PFL having a 7.87% annualized return and DSU not far ahead at 8.03%.

PFL

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: -3.50%
• YTD: -4.28%
• 6M: -4.04%
• 1Y: 3.13%
• 3Y*: 10.43%
• 5Y*: 0.84%
• 10Y*: 7.87%

DSU

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: 0.34%
• 6M: 0.04%
• 1Y: 4.15%
• 3Y*: 12.84%
• 5Y*: 6.94%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

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

PFL vs. DSU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFL PIMCO Income Strategy Fund	-4.28%	13.03%	11.51%	17.29%	-17.92%	4.62%	7.11%	19.65%	2.06%	21.26%
DSU BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.	0.34%	5.97%	11.13%	30.34%	-15.51%	19.36%	1.60%	23.84%	-10.04%	10.68%

Correlation

The correlation between PFL and DSU is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2003	0.34

Return for Risk

PFL vs. DSU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFL

PFL Risk / Return Rank: 5
PFL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PFL Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PFL Omega Ratio Rank: 5
PFL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PFL Martin Ratio Rank: 6

DSU

DSU Risk / Return Rank: 6
DSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
DSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
DSU Omega Ratio Rank: 6
DSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
DSU Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

PFL vs. DSU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) and BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU). 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.

	PFL	DSU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.35	0.51	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.54	0.83	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.10	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.41	0.58	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.40	2.15	-0.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFL vs. DSU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFL Sharpe Ratio is 0.35, which is lower than the DSU Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFL and DSU, 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

	PFL	DSU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35	0.51	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.59	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.51	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.23	+0.07

Drawdowns

PFL vs. DSU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFL drawdown since its inception was -77.97%, which is greater than DSU's maximum drawdown of -72.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFL and DSU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFL	DSU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.97%	-72.03%	-5.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.64%	-7.21%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.21%	-14.59%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.30%	-24.23%	-9.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.40%	-45.36%	-3.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.11%	-2.12%	-3.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.00%	-11.60%	+0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	1.93%	+0.31%

Volatility

PFL vs. DSU - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) has a higher volatility of 2.88% compared to BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) at 1.40%. This indicates that PFL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DSU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFL	DSU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	1.40%	+1.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.85%	6.19%	+1.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.00%	8.12%	+0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.72%	11.74%	+1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.34%	15.91%	+2.43%

Dividends

PFL vs. DSU - Dividend Comparison

PFL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.72%, more than DSU's 12.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DSU BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.	12.19%	11.64%	11.01%	9.70%	7.56%	6.21%	7.96%	7.43%	8.41%	6.98%	6.60%	8.07%
PFL PIMCO Income Strategy Fund	12.72%	11.59%	11.66%	11.57%	12.04%	9.53%	9.44%	9.11%	9.94%	9.25%	10.22%	11.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFL and DSU in my portfolio?

PFL and DSU have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFL or DSU?

PFL has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to DSU (1.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFL dropped -77.97% vs DSU's -72.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DSU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.51 vs 0.35), 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.