PIPAX vs. PFN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PIPAX (PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A) and PFN (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II) are both mutual funds - PIPAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by PIMCO, while PFN is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PIPAX returned 11.62%/yr vs 7.89%/yr for PFN. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PIPAX charges 1.15%/yr vs 1.74%/yr for PFN.

Performance

PIPAX vs. PFN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A (PIPAX) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PIPAX achieves a 9.45% return, which is significantly higher than PFN's -4.15% return. Over the past 10 years, PIPAX has outperformed PFN with an annualized return of 11.62%, while PFN has yielded a comparatively lower 7.89% annualized return.

PIPAX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 4.57%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 4.81%
• 1Y: 17.95%
• 3Y*: 16.11%
• 5Y*: 10.97%
• 10Y*: 11.62%

PFN

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: -3.36%
• YTD: -4.15%
• 6M: -2.44%
• 1Y: 5.30%
• 3Y*: 10.63%
• 5Y*: 1.97%
• 10Y*: 7.89%

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

PIPAX vs. PFN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIPAX PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A	9.45%	16.57%	14.37%	21.29%	-9.30%	18.02%	3.78%	25.94%	-10.40%	18.30%
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	-4.15%	13.07%	15.72%	15.43%	-17.65%	5.14%	3.97%	21.84%	0.94%	20.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PIPAX and PFN is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2004	0.28

Return for Risk

PIPAX vs. PFN — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIPAX

PIPAX Risk / Return Rank: 22
PIPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
PIPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
PIPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PIPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
PIPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

PFN

PFN Risk / Return Rank: 6
PFN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
PFN Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
PFN Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PFN Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PFN Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

PIPAX vs. PFN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A (PIPAX) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN). 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.

	PIPAX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	0.53	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	0.82	+0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.11	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	0.49	+1.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.00	1.95	+4.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PIPAX vs. PFN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIPAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is higher than the PFN Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIPAX and PFN, 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

	PIPAX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	0.53	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.14	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.44	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.28	+0.25

Drawdowns

PIPAX vs. PFN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIPAX drawdown since its inception was -57.80%, smaller than the maximum PFN drawdown of -80.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIPAX and PFN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIPAX	PFN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.80%	-80.08%	+22.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.72%	-10.77%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.24%	-14.31%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.17%	-33.45%	+14.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.55%	-45.70%	+10.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-5.19%	+5.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.36%	-11.83%	+4.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	2.72%	+0.36%

Volatility

PIPAX vs. PFN - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A (PIPAX) has a higher volatility of 3.68% compared to PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN) at 3.39%. This indicates that PIPAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIPAX	PFN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.68%	3.39%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.05%	8.89%	+4.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.72%	10.05%	+4.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.27%	14.66%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.66%	18.19%	-3.53%

PIPAX vs. PFN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIPAX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is lower than PFN's 1.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIPAX vs. PFN - Dividend Comparison

PIPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.13%, less than PFN's 12.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	12.60%	11.49%	11.57%	11.92%	12.19%	9.71%	9.67%	9.07%	10.81%	9.20%	10.12%	11.74%
PIPAX PIMCO StocksPLUS® International Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) Class A	5.13%	5.61%	12.69%	10.56%	10.66%	7.59%	1.44%	11.71%	8.25%	7.38%	0.78%	8.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIPAX and PFN in my portfolio?

PIPAX and PFN have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIPAX or PFN?

PIPAX has higher volatility (3.68%) compared to PFN (3.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIPAX dropped -57.80% vs PFN's -80.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs 0.53), 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.