PFL vs. NWXEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PFL (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund) and NWXEX (Nationwide Strategic Income A) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, PFL returned 7.87%/yr vs 6.53%/yr for NWXEX. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PFL vs. NWXEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) and Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX). 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 NWXEX's 2.17% return. Over the past 10 years, PFL has outperformed NWXEX with an annualized return of 7.87%, while NWXEX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.53% annualized return.

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%

NWXEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 2.17%
• 6M: 2.67%
• 1Y: 6.77%
• 3Y*: 8.25%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 6.53%

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

PFL vs. NWXEX - 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%
NWXEX Nationwide Strategic Income A	2.17%	6.97%	9.36%	9.00%	3.50%	4.64%	3.24%	9.84%	-0.39%	10.86%

Correlation

The correlation between PFL and NWXEX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2015	0.12

The correlation between PFL and NWXEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (5 years) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PFL vs. NWXEX — 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

NWXEX

NWXEX Risk / Return Rank: 99
NWXEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
NWXEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. NWXEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) and Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX). 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	NWXEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.35	5.72	-5.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.54	10.13	-9.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	2.91	-1.82
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.41	16.02	-15.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.40	65.39	-63.99
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. NWXEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFL Sharpe Ratio is 0.35, which is lower than the NWXEX Sharpe Ratio of 5.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFL and NWXEX, 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	NWXEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35	5.72	-5.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	1.73	-1.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	1.48	-1.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	1.48	-1.19

Drawdowns

PFL vs. NWXEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFL drawdown since its inception was -77.97%, which is greater than NWXEX's maximum drawdown of -22.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFL and NWXEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFL	NWXEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.97%	-22.97%	-55.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.64%	-0.43%	-7.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.21%	-1.89%	-11.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.30%	-5.60%	-27.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.40%	-22.97%	-25.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.11%	0.00%	-6.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.00%	-1.10%	-9.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	0.11%	+2.13%

Volatility

PFL vs. NWXEX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) has a higher volatility of 2.88% compared to Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX) at 0.29%. This indicates that PFL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NWXEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFL	NWXEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	0.29%	+2.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.85%	0.91%	+6.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.00%	1.21%	+7.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.72%	3.66%	+10.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.34%	4.42%	+13.92%

Dividends

PFL vs. NWXEX - Dividend Comparison

PFL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.72%, more than NWXEX's 5.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NWXEX Nationwide Strategic Income A	5.24%	4.93%	4.73%	4.33%	16.14%	3.99%	4.70%	3.63%	4.30%	8.40%	7.21%	0.43%
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 NWXEX in my portfolio?

PFL and NWXEX have a correlation of 0.17, 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 NWXEX?

PFL has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to NWXEX (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFL dropped -77.97% vs NWXEX's -22.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWXEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.72 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.