PLFLX vs. DSU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PLFLX (Aristotle Floating Rate Income Fund Class A) and DSU (BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.) are both Bank Loan funds. Over the past 10 years, PLFLX returned 4.78%/yr vs 8.09%/yr for DSU. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLFLX charges 1.05%/yr vs 2.47%/yr for DSU.

Performance

PLFLX vs. DSU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aristotle Floating Rate Income Fund Class A (PLFLX) and BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLFLX achieves a 0.85% return, which is significantly lower than DSU's 1.17% return. Over the past 10 years, PLFLX has underperformed DSU with an annualized return of 4.78%, while DSU has yielded a comparatively higher 8.09% annualized return.

PLFLX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 0.85%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 5.46%
• 3Y*: 7.64%
• 5Y*: 5.52%
• 10Y*: 4.78%

DSU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.31%
• YTD: 1.17%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 4.22%
• 3Y*: 12.20%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 8.09%

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

PLFLX vs. DSU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLFLX Aristotle Floating Rate Income Fund Class A	0.85%	6.33%	8.03%	13.70%	-2.35%	4.16%	0.95%	7.91%	0.14%	4.02%
DSU BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.	1.17%	5.97%	11.13%	30.34%	-15.51%	19.36%	1.60%	23.84%	-10.04%	10.68%

Correlation

The correlation between PLFLX and DSU is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 29, 2011	0.23

Return for Risk

PLFLX vs. DSU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLFLX

PLFLX Risk / Return Rank: 78
PLFLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
PLFLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
PLFLX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
PLFLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PLFLX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

DSU

DSU Risk / Return Rank: 7
DSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
DSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
DSU Omega Ratio Rank: 7
DSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
DSU Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

PLFLX vs. DSU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aristotle Floating Rate Income Fund Class A (PLFLX) and BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU). 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.

	PLFLX	DSU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	0.52	+1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.11	0.83	+4.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.82	1.10	+0.72
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	0.59	+2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.21	2.13	+9.08

PLFLX vs. DSU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLFLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the DSU Sharpe Ratio of 0.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLFLX and DSU, 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

PLFLX vs. DSU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLFLX drawdown since its inception was -18.80%, smaller than the maximum DSU drawdown of -72.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFLX and DSU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLFLX	DSU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.80%	-72.03%	+53.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.72%	-7.21%	+5.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.09%	-14.59%	+12.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.45%	-24.23%	+17.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.80%	-45.36%	+26.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-1.32%	+1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.69%	-11.59%	+10.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	1.99%	-1.50%

Volatility

PLFLX vs. DSU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Aristotle Floating Rate Income Fund Class A (PLFLX) is 0.64%, while BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) has a volatility of 2.20%. This indicates that PLFLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DSU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLFLX	DSU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	2.20%	-1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.94%	6.41%	-4.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52%	8.16%	-5.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.79%	11.75%	-8.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.74%	15.91%	-12.17%

PLFLX vs. DSU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLFLX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than DSU's 2.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLFLX vs. DSU - Dividend Comparison

PLFLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.77%, less than DSU's 12.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DSU BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.	12.21%	11.64%	11.01%	9.70%	7.56%	6.21%	7.96%	7.43%	8.41%	6.98%	6.60%	8.07%
PLFLX Aristotle Floating Rate Income Fund Class A	6.77%	6.86%	8.14%	8.61%	4.16%	3.35%	3.29%	4.94%	4.77%	4.16%	3.92%	4.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLFLX and DSU in my portfolio?

PLFLX and DSU have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLFLX or DSU?

DSU has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to PLFLX (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLFLX dropped -18.80% vs DSU's -72.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLFLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.52), 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.