PFSZX vs. FLC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PFSZX (PGIM Jennison Financial Services Fund) and FLC (Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc) are both Financials Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PFSZX returned 12.82%/yr vs 5.02%/yr for FLC. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFSZX charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.64%/yr for FLC.

Performance

PFSZX vs. FLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Financial Services Fund (PFSZX) and Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc (FLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFSZX achieves a -4.33% return, which is significantly lower than FLC's -1.29% return. Over the past 10 years, PFSZX has outperformed FLC with an annualized return of 12.82%, while FLC has yielded a comparatively lower 5.02% annualized return.

PFSZX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: -4.33%
• 6M: -1.84%
• 1Y: 3.33%
• 3Y*: 22.60%
• 5Y*: 9.68%
• 10Y*: 12.82%

FLC

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -1.77%
• YTD: -1.29%
• 6M: -0.11%
• 1Y: 8.10%
• 3Y*: 12.16%
• 5Y*: 0.08%
• 10Y*: 5.02%

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

PFSZX vs. FLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFSZX PGIM Jennison Financial Services Fund	-4.33%	12.06%	42.87%	20.73%	-17.36%	26.81%	10.81%	33.73%	-13.56%	23.53%
FLC Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc	-1.29%	12.38%	23.05%	-0.83%	-25.11%	2.82%	14.12%	38.65%	-14.14%	17.00%

Correlation

The correlation between PFSZX and FLC is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2003	0.32

The correlation between PFSZX and FLC shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (1 year) to 0.42 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PFSZX vs. FLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFSZX

PFSZX Risk / Return Rank: 4
PFSZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
PFSZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PFSZX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PFSZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
PFSZX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

FLC

FLC Risk / Return Rank: 14
FLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
FLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
FLC Omega Ratio Rank: 16
FLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
FLC Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

PFSZX vs. FLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Financial Services Fund (PFSZX) and Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc (FLC). 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.

	PFSZX	FLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.23	1.12	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.42	1.54	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.21	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.24	0.98	-0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.61	3.29	-2.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFSZX vs. FLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFSZX Sharpe Ratio is 0.23, which is lower than the FLC Sharpe Ratio of 1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFSZX and FLC, 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

	PFSZX	FLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23	1.12	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.01	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.23	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.28	+0.10

Drawdowns

PFSZX vs. FLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFSZX drawdown since its inception was -55.10%, smaller than the maximum FLC drawdown of -76.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFSZX and FLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFSZX	FLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.10%	-76.79%	+21.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.70%	-8.34%	-7.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.32%	-11.87%	-7.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.42%	-40.14%	+8.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.49%	-55.27%	+10.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.83%	-4.70%	-3.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.67%	-10.87%	+1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.09%	2.47%	+3.62%

Volatility

PFSZX vs. FLC - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Financial Services Fund (PFSZX) has a higher volatility of 3.54% compared to Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc (FLC) at 1.93%. This indicates that PFSZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFSZX	FLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	1.93%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.18%	6.12%	+6.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.01%	7.24%	+8.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.49%	14.09%	+7.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.09%	22.04%	+1.05%

PFSZX vs. FLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFSZX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than FLC's 1.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFSZX vs. FLC - Dividend Comparison

PFSZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.15%, more than FLC's 7.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLC Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc	7.40%	6.81%	6.62%	7.38%	8.95%	6.86%	6.27%	6.31%	8.34%	7.22%	8.20%	8.51%
PFSZX PGIM Jennison Financial Services Fund	10.15%	9.71%	14.10%	6.25%	2.95%	10.03%	0.60%	0.80%	1.13%	1.40%	1.91%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFSZX and FLC in my portfolio?

PFSZX and FLC have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFSZX or FLC?

PFSZX has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to FLC (1.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFSZX dropped -55.10% vs FLC's -76.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.12 vs 0.23), 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.