PLMIX vs. PFN

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PLMIX (PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund) and PFN (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II) are both mutual funds - PLMIX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by PIMCO, while PFN is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PLMIX returned 3.80%/yr vs 7.84%/yr for PFN. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLMIX charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.74%/yr for PFN.

Performance

PLMIX vs. PFN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund (PLMIX) 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, PLMIX achieves a 3.61% return, which is significantly higher than PFN's -3.98% return. Over the past 10 years, PLMIX has underperformed PFN with an annualized return of 3.80%, while PFN has yielded a comparatively higher 7.84% annualized return.

PLMIX

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: 3.61%
• 6M: 4.89%
• 1Y: 11.01%
• 3Y*: 8.07%
• 5Y*: 4.66%
• 10Y*: 3.80%

PFN

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: -3.98%
• 6M: -1.21%
• 1Y: 4.74%
• 3Y*: 10.28%
• 5Y*: 1.75%
• 10Y*: 7.84%

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

PLMIX vs. PFN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLMIX PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund	3.61%	17.29%	0.57%	9.01%	-4.12%	-2.76%	2.28%	6.21%	-4.43%	12.89%
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	-3.98%	13.07%	15.72%	15.43%	-17.65%	5.14%	3.97%	21.84%	0.94%	20.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PLMIX and PFN is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2005	0.28

The correlation between PLMIX and PFN shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (3 years) to 0.37 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLMIX vs. PFN — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLMIX

PLMIX Risk / Return Rank: 47
PLMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
PLMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
PLMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PLMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PLMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

PFN

PFN Risk / Return Rank: 6
PFN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
PFN Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
PFN Omega Ratio Rank: 6
PFN Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
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.

PLMIX vs. PFN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund (PLMIX) 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.

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.

	PLMIX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	0.47	+1.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	0.74	+1.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.09	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	0.44	+1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.75	1.63	+7.12

PLMIX vs. PFN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLMIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the PFN Sharpe Ratio of 0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLMIX 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.

Drawdowns

PLMIX vs. PFN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLMIX drawdown since its inception was -28.76%, smaller than the maximum PFN drawdown of -80.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLMIX and PFN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLMIX	PFN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.76%	-80.08%	+51.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.70%	-10.77%	+6.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.70%	-14.31%	+9.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.95%	-33.45%	+19.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.50%	-45.70%	+28.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	-5.02%	+3.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.71%	-11.81%	+6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.25%	2.92%	-1.67%

Volatility

PLMIX vs. PFN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund (PLMIX) is 1.99%, while PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN) has a volatility of 2.81%. This indicates that PLMIX 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

	PLMIX	PFN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.99%	2.81%	-0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.96%	9.01%	-4.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.86%	10.16%	-4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.03%	14.64%	-8.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.32%	18.19%	-11.87%

PLMIX vs. PFN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLMIX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than PFN's 1.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLMIX vs. PFN - Dividend Comparison

PLMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.43%, less than PFN's 12.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	12.71%	11.49%	11.57%	11.92%	12.19%	9.71%	9.67%	9.07%	10.81%	9.20%	10.12%	11.74%
PLMIX PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund	8.43%	7.44%	7.08%	6.40%	1.97%	1.47%	1.63%	4.10%	12.65%	2.82%	2.88%	2.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLMIX and PFN in my portfolio?

PLMIX and PFN have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLMIX or PFN?

PFN has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to PLMIX (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLMIX dropped -28.76% vs PFN's -80.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.47), 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.