PLDIX vs. PONAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLDIX (PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund) and PONAX (PIMCO Income Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - PLDIX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by PIMCO, while PONAX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PLDIX returned 1.88%/yr vs 4.30%/yr for PONAX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PLDIX charges 0.50%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for PONAX.

Performance

PLDIX vs. PONAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund (PLDIX) and PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLDIX achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly lower than PONAX's 0.83% return. Over the past 10 years, PLDIX has underperformed PONAX with an annualized return of 1.88%, while PONAX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.30% annualized return.

PLDIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 3.66%
• 3Y*: 4.69%
• 5Y*: 1.63%
• 10Y*: 1.88%

PONAX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.21%
• 1Y: 7.96%
• 3Y*: 7.44%
• 5Y*: 3.14%
• 10Y*: 4.30%

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

PLDIX vs. PONAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLDIX PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund	0.35%	5.30%	4.98%	4.81%	-5.98%	-0.63%	3.30%	4.25%	0.32%	1.69%
PONAX PIMCO Income Fund Class A	0.83%	10.63%	5.02%	8.96%	-9.34%	2.21%	5.40%	7.65%	0.21%	8.19%

Correlation

The correlation between PLDIX and PONAX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2007	0.64

The correlation between PLDIX and PONAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (10 years) to 0.78 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLDIX vs. PONAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLDIX

PLDIX Risk / Return Rank: 45
PLDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
PLDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
PLDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
PLDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PLDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

PONAX

PONAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
PONAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PONAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
PONAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
PONAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PONAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

PLDIX vs. PONAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund (PLDIX) and PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX). 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.

	PLDIX	PONAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.96	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	2.92	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.17	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.04	7.45	+1.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLDIX vs. PONAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLDIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the PONAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLDIX and PONAX, 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

	PLDIX	PONAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78	1.96	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.66	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	1.03	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.32	1.48	-0.16

Drawdowns

PLDIX vs. PONAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLDIX drawdown since its inception was -9.77%, smaller than the maximum PONAX drawdown of -13.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLDIX and PONAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLDIX	PONAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.77%	-13.64%	+3.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.51%	-3.69%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.51%	-3.90%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.34%	-13.64%	+5.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.34%	-13.64%	+5.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-1.03%	+0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.84%	-1.80%	+0.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	1.07%	-0.66%

Volatility

PLDIX vs. PONAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund (PLDIX) is 0.68%, while PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX) has a volatility of 1.67%. This indicates that PLDIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PONAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLDIX	PONAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.68%	1.67%	-0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.53%	3.25%	-1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08%	4.10%	-2.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.35%	4.81%	-2.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.99%	4.21%	-2.22%

PLDIX vs. PONAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLDIX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than PONAX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLDIX vs. PONAX - Dividend Comparison

PLDIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, less than PONAX's 5.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLDIX PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund	3.61%	3.62%	3.39%	2.97%	1.90%	0.82%	1.26%	2.46%	1.92%	1.04%	1.82%	1.93%
PONAX PIMCO Income Fund Class A	5.43%	5.61%	5.86%	5.86%	4.66%	3.62%	4.48%	5.42%	5.24%	4.97%	5.13%	7.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLDIX and PONAX in my portfolio?

PLDIX and PONAX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLDIX or PONAX?

PONAX has higher volatility (1.67%) compared to PLDIX (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLDIX dropped -9.77% vs PONAX's -13.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PONAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.78), 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.