PHIYX vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PHIYX (PIMCO High Yield Fund) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PHIYX returned 5.03%/yr vs 5.14%/yr for SPHY. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PHIYX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

PHIYX vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO High Yield Fund (PHIYX) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PHIYX achieves a 0.80% return, which is significantly lower than SPHY's 1.63% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PHIYX having a 5.03% annualized return and SPHY not far ahead at 5.14%.

PHIYX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 1.61%
• 1Y: 6.39%
• 3Y*: 8.06%
• 5Y*: 3.55%
• 10Y*: 5.03%

SPHY

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.63%
• 6M: 2.02%
• 1Y: 7.02%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: 4.41%
• 10Y*: 5.14%

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

PHIYX vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PHIYX PIMCO High Yield Fund	0.80%	8.60%	6.81%	12.83%	-11.96%	4.07%	5.37%	14.96%	-2.47%	7.03%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.63%	8.59%	8.54%	12.81%	-10.57%	5.61%	6.65%	13.16%	-3.35%	7.35%

Correlation

The correlation between PHIYX and SPHY is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2012	0.47

Over the past year, PHIYX and SPHY have become more correlated (0.73) than their long-term average of 0.47, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PHIYX vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHIYX

PHIYX Risk / Return Rank: 57
PHIYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PHIYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
PHIYX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
PHIYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
PHIYX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

PHIYX vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO High Yield Fund (PHIYX) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

	PHIYX	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	1.92	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.92	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.38	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	2.92	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.48	13.27	-0.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PHIYX vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHIYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHIYX and SPHY, 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

	PHIYX	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	1.92	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.62	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.65	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.30	0.64	+0.67

Drawdowns

PHIYX vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHIYX drawdown since its inception was -32.73%, which is greater than SPHY's maximum drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHIYX and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHIYX	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-21.97%	-10.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.58%	-2.41%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.54%	-4.85%	+1.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.74%	-15.29%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.30%	-21.97%	+1.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-0.14%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.17%	-2.29%	+0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	0.53%	+0.01%

Volatility

PHIYX vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO High Yield Fund (PHIYX) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) have volatilities of 1.19% and 1.14%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PHIYX	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	1.14%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.77%	2.91%	-0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.42%	3.68%	-0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.30%	7.17%	-1.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.63%	7.89%	-2.26%

PHIYX vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHIYX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHY's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

PHIYX vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

PHIYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.36%, less than SPHY's 7.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PHIYX PIMCO High Yield Fund	6.36%	6.19%	6.18%	5.62%	6.01%	4.53%	4.55%	5.04%	5.63%	5.11%	5.37%	8.79%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.26%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PHIYX and SPHY in my portfolio?

PHIYX and SPHY have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PHIYX or SPHY?

PHIYX has higher volatility (1.19%) compared to SPHY (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHIYX dropped -32.73% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PHIYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.92), 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.