PFUIX vs. LEMB
PFUIX (PIMCO International Bond Fund (Unhedged)) and LEMB (iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF) are both funds - PFUIX is a Global Bonds fund managed by PIMCO, while LEMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global 15 cap 4.5 floor. Over the past 10 years, PFUIX returned 0.47%/yr vs 1.41%/yr for LEMB. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFUIX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for LEMB.
Performance
PFUIX vs. LEMB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFUIX achieves a -2.00% return, which is significantly lower than LEMB's 1.61% return. Over the past 10 years, PFUIX has underperformed LEMB with an annualized return of 0.47%, while LEMB has yielded a comparatively higher 1.41% annualized return.
PFUIX
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- -0.06%
- YTD
- -2.00%
- 6M
- -1.67%
- 1Y
- -0.31%
- 3Y*
- 4.20%
- 5Y*
- -2.11%
- 10Y*
- 0.47%
LEMB
- 1D
- -0.38%
- 1M
- 1.29%
- YTD
- 1.61%
- 6M
- 1.81%
- 1Y
- 9.04%
- 3Y*
- 5.76%
- 5Y*
- 1.05%
- 10Y*
- 1.41%
PFUIX vs. LEMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFUIX PIMCO International Bond Fund (Unhedged) | -2.00% | 10.90% | -1.64% | 6.42% | -19.10% | -6.08% | 12.32% | 7.09% | -3.64% | 10.82% |
LEMB iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 1.61% | 18.02% | -1.72% | 7.23% | -10.74% | -9.92% | 3.10% | 6.40% | -7.49% | 12.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFUIX and LEMB is 0.75, 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 | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011 | 0.57 |
The correlation between PFUIX and LEMB shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PFUIX vs. LEMB — Risk / Return Rank
PFUIX
LEMB
PFUIX vs. LEMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO International Bond Fund (Unhedged) (PFUIX) and iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB). 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.
| PFUIX | LEMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.83 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.25 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.01 | 1.51 | -1.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.03 | 4.98 | -4.95 |
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Drawdowns
PFUIX vs. LEMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFUIX drawdown since its inception was -31.90%, roughly equal to the maximum LEMB drawdown of -30.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFUIX and LEMB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFUIX | LEMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -31.90% | -30.82% | -1.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.40% | -6.00% | -0.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.69% | -10.09% | +2.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.65% | -23.96% | -5.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.90% | -29.09% | -2.81% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -14.20% | -4.47% | -9.73% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.99% | -12.71% | +4.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.45% | 1.82% | +0.63% |
Volatility
PFUIX vs. LEMB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for PIMCO International Bond Fund (Unhedged) (PFUIX) is 1.94%, while iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB) has a volatility of 2.09%. This indicates that PFUIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LEMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFUIX | LEMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.94% | 2.09% | -0.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.91% | 5.60% | +0.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.36% | 6.73% | +0.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.69% | 8.25% | -0.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.37% | 9.22% | -1.85% |
PFUIX vs. LEMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFUIX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than LEMB's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFUIX vs. LEMB - Dividend Comparison
PFUIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.08%, more than LEMB's 2.40% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LEMB iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 2.40% | 2.44% | 0.00% | 1.34% | 0.86% | 3.89% | 0.00% | 4.39% | 3.46% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.64% |
PFUIX PIMCO International Bond Fund (Unhedged) | 4.08% | 3.98% | 4.10% | 2.98% | 2.83% | 5.07% | 1.57% | 2.28% | 4.39% | 1.41% | 1.98% | 1.94% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFUIX and LEMB have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
LEMB has higher volatility (2.09%) compared to PFUIX (1.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFUIX dropped -31.90% vs LEMB's -30.82%.
LEMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 0.01), 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.
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