PFL vs. PTY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PFL (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund) and PTY (PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund) are both mutual funds - PFL is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by PIMCO, while PTY is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PFL returned 7.69%/yr vs 8.56%/yr for PTY. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PFL vs. PTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) and PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (PTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFL achieves a -4.64% return, which is significantly lower than PTY's -3.45% return. Over the past 10 years, PFL has underperformed PTY with an annualized return of 7.69%, while PTY has yielded a comparatively higher 8.56% annualized return.

PFL

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: -4.64%
• 6M: -3.84%
• 1Y: 2.98%
• 3Y*: 9.83%
• 5Y*: 0.79%
• 10Y*: 7.69%

PTY

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: -3.45%
• 6M: -2.62%
• 1Y: -3.79%
• 3Y*: 5.46%
• 5Y*: -0.17%
• 10Y*: 8.56%

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

PFL vs. PTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFL PIMCO Income Strategy Fund	-4.64%	13.03%	11.51%	17.29%	-17.92%	4.62%	7.11%	19.65%	2.06%	21.26%
PTY PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund	-3.45%	-0.51%	19.87%	22.56%	-18.71%	0.40%	3.24%	35.36%	2.49%	26.63%

Correlation

The correlation between PFL and PTY is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2003	0.43

The correlation between PFL and PTY shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (all time) to 0.56 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PFL vs. PTY — 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: 5
PFL Omega Ratio Rank: 5
PFL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PFL Martin Ratio Rank: 5

PTY

PTY Risk / Return Rank: 1
PTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PTY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
PTY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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. PTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) and PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (PTY). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PFL	PTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.33	-0.35	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.51	-0.40	+0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	0.94	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.39	-0.25	+0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.15	-0.47	+1.62

PFL vs. PTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFL Sharpe Ratio is 0.33, which is higher than the PTY Sharpe Ratio of -0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFL and PTY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PFL vs. PTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFL drawdown since its inception was -77.97%, which is greater than PTY's maximum drawdown of -60.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFL and PTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFL	PTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.97%	-60.86%	-17.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.64%	-15.44%	+7.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.21%	-16.04%	+2.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.30%	-41.38%	+8.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.40%	-46.55%	-1.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.46%	-12.37%	+5.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.99%	-8.62%	-2.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	8.11%	-5.51%

Volatility

PFL vs. PTY - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (PFL) has a higher volatility of 2.81% compared to PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (PTY) at 1.99%. This indicates that PFL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFL	PTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.81%	1.99%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.04%	7.66%	+0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.21%	10.92%	-1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.67%	17.27%	-3.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.35%	21.19%	-2.84%

Dividends

PFL vs. PTY - Dividend Comparison

PFL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.90%, more than PTY's 12.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFL PIMCO Income Strategy Fund	12.90%	11.59%	11.66%	11.57%	12.04%	9.53%	9.44%	9.11%	9.94%	9.25%	10.22%	11.09%
PTY PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund	12.12%	11.05%	9.92%	10.77%	13.12%	9.16%	8.74%	8.37%	10.63%	9.48%	12.09%	11.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFL and PTY in my portfolio?

PFL and PTY have a correlation of 0.53, 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 PTY?

PFL has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to PTY (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFL dropped -77.97% vs PTY's -60.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.33 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.