PKAIX vs. PFN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PKAIX (PIMCO RAE US Fund) and PFN (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II) are both mutual funds - PKAIX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by PIMCO, while PFN is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PKAIX returned 14.21%/yr vs 7.89%/yr for PFN. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PKAIX charges 0.40%/yr vs 1.74%/yr for PFN.

Performance

PKAIX vs. PFN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAE US Fund (PKAIX) 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, PKAIX achieves a 24.56% return, which is significantly higher than PFN's -4.15% return. Over the past 10 years, PKAIX has outperformed PFN with an annualized return of 14.21%, while PFN has yielded a comparatively lower 7.89% annualized return.

PKAIX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 7.80%
• YTD: 24.56%
• 6M: 20.98%
• 1Y: 43.47%
• 3Y*: 25.53%
• 5Y*: 15.06%
• 10Y*: 14.21%

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)

PKAIX vs. PFN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PKAIX PIMCO RAE US Fund	24.56%	17.19%	16.28%	17.02%	-3.36%	27.74%	3.94%	24.92%	-6.92%	16.51%
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 PKAIX and PFN is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2015	0.33

Return for Risk

PKAIX vs. PFN — Risk / Return Rank

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

PKAIX

PKAIX Risk / Return Rank: 95
PKAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PKAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PKAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PKAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PKAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

PKAIX vs. PFN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAE US Fund (PKAIX) 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.

	PKAIX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.52	0.53	+2.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.74	0.82	+3.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.11	+0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.80	0.49	+8.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.00	1.95	+25.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PKAIX vs. PFN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PKAIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.52, which is higher than the PFN Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PKAIX 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

	PKAIX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.52	0.53	+2.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.14	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.44	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.28	+0.41

Drawdowns

PKAIX vs. PFN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PKAIX drawdown since its inception was -38.56%, smaller than the maximum PFN drawdown of -80.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PKAIX and PFN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PKAIX	PFN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.56%	-80.08%	+41.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.15%	-10.77%	+5.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.31%	-14.31%	-6.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.64%	-33.45%	+12.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.56%	-45.70%	+7.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-5.19%	+5.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.72%	-11.83%	+7.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.67%	2.72%	-1.05%

Volatility

PKAIX vs. PFN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO RAE US Fund (PKAIX) is 3.11%, while PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN) has a volatility of 3.39%. This indicates that PKAIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PKAIX	PFN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.11%	3.39%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.37%	8.89%	+0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.88%	10.05%	+2.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.78%	14.66%	+3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.85%	18.19%	+0.66%

PKAIX vs. PFN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PKAIX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than PFN's 1.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

PKAIX vs. PFN - Dividend Comparison

PKAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.05%, 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%
PKAIX PIMCO RAE US Fund	11.05%	13.77%	16.77%	6.65%	8.09%	10.03%	3.20%	4.91%	6.85%	5.85%	5.33%	3.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PKAIX and PFN in my portfolio?

PKAIX and PFN have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PKAIX or PFN?

PFN has higher volatility (3.39%) compared to PKAIX (3.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PKAIX dropped -38.56% vs PFN's -80.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PKAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.52 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.