PIALX vs. PDSYX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PIALX (Pioneer Solutions - Balanced Fund) and PDSYX (Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund) are both Global Allocation funds. Over the past 5 years, PIALX returned 8.48%/yr vs 3.77%/yr for PDSYX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PIALX charges 0.44%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for PDSYX.

Performance

PIALX vs. PDSYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pioneer Solutions - Balanced Fund (PIALX) and Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund (PDSYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PIALX achieves a 7.13% return, which is significantly higher than PDSYX's 4.52% return.

PIALX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 7.13%
• 6M: 7.28%
• 1Y: 19.74%
• 3Y*: 14.76%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 7.97%

PDSYX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 4.52%
• 6M: 4.65%
• 1Y: 8.81%
• 3Y*: 5.70%
• 5Y*: 3.77%
• 10Y*: —

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

PIALX vs. PDSYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PIALX Pioneer Solutions - Balanced Fund	7.13%	23.78%	8.23%	11.73%	-8.89%	12.66%	9.75%	5.68%
PDSYX Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund	4.52%	7.90%	3.65%	2.45%	-5.36%	14.81%	2.43%	4.08%

Correlation

The correlation between PIALX and PDSYX is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2019	0.78

The correlation between PIALX and PDSYX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PIALX vs. PDSYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIALX

PIALX Risk / Return Rank: 84
PIALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PIALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PIALX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PIALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
PIALX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

PDSYX

PDSYX Risk / Return Rank: 92
PDSYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PDSYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
PDSYX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PDSYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
PDSYX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

PIALX vs. PDSYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pioneer Solutions - Balanced Fund (PIALX) and Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund (PDSYX). 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.

	PIALX	PDSYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	2.91	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.86	4.54	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.58	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.54	4.45	-0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.66	18.88	-5.21

PIALX vs. PDSYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is comparable to the PDSYX Sharpe Ratio of 2.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIALX and PDSYX, 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

PIALX vs. PDSYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIALX drawdown since its inception was -43.04%, which is greater than PDSYX's maximum drawdown of -30.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIALX and PDSYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIALX	PDSYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.04%	-30.01%	-13.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.57%	-1.98%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.85%	-5.84%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.19%	-10.95%	-7.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.86%	+0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-4.32%	-0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.44%	0.47%	+0.97%

Volatility

PIALX vs. PDSYX - Volatility Comparison

Pioneer Solutions - Balanced Fund (PIALX) has a higher volatility of 2.54% compared to Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund (PDSYX) at 0.76%. This indicates that PIALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PDSYX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIALX	PDSYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	0.76%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.85%	2.36%	+3.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.20%	3.03%	+4.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.78%	6.29%	+2.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.57%	8.69%	+0.88%

PIALX vs. PDSYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIALX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is lower than PDSYX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIALX vs. PDSYX - Dividend Comparison

PIALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.36%, more than PDSYX's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDSYX Principal Diversified Select Real Asset Fund	1.57%	1.85%	2.18%	2.06%	1.58%	7.46%	2.70%	1.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PIALX Pioneer Solutions - Balanced Fund	5.36%	5.74%	5.07%	3.97%	14.16%	6.30%	2.79%	6.44%	5.91%	1.81%	2.18%	10.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIALX and PDSYX in my portfolio?

PIALX and PDSYX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIALX or PDSYX?

PIALX has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to PDSYX (0.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIALX dropped -43.04% vs PDSYX's -30.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDSYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 2.74), 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.