PLMIX vs. PTTRX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PLMIX (PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund) and PTTRX (PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - PLMIX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by PIMCO, while PTTRX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PLMIX returned 3.77%/yr vs 2.02%/yr for PTTRX. Their 0.16 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PLMIX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for PTTRX.

Performance

PLMIX vs. PTTRX - 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 Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLMIX achieves a 4.94% return, which is significantly higher than PTTRX's -0.80% return. Over the past 10 years, PLMIX has outperformed PTTRX with an annualized return of 3.77%, while PTTRX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.02% annualized return.

PLMIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.79%
• 6M: 2.54%
• YTD: 4.94%
• 1Y: 10.78%
• 3Y*: 8.29%
• 5Y*: 5.01%
• 10Y*: 3.77%
• ALL TIME*: 3.32%

PTTRX

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -1.72%
• 6M: -1.03%
• YTD: -0.80%
• 1Y: 2.83%
• 3Y*: 5.12%
• 5Y*: 0.07%
• 10Y*: 2.02%
• ALL TIME*: 5.52%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PLMIX PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PLMIX vs. PTTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLMIX PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund	4.94%	17.29%	0.57%	9.01%	-4.12%	-2.76%	2.28%	6.21%	-4.43%	12.89%
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	-0.80%	9.35%	2.62%	6.33%	-14.72%	-0.59%	8.88%	8.36%	-0.24%	5.13%

Correlation

The correlation between PLMIX and PTTRX is 0.48, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2005	0.16

Over the past year, PLMIX and PTTRX have become more correlated (0.48) than their long-term average of 0.16, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PLMIX vs. PTTRX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PLMIX

PLMIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
PLMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PLMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
PLMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
PLMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
PLMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

PTTRX

PTTRX Risk / Return Rank: 20
PTTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
PTTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
PTTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
PTTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
PTTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PLMIX vs. PTTRX - 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 Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX). 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	PTTRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	0.83	+1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	1.22	+1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.15	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	1.03	+1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.05	2.72	+6.33

PLMIX vs. PTTRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLMIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is higher than the PTTRX Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLMIX and PTTRX, 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. PTTRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLMIX drawdown since its inception was -28.76%, which is greater than PTTRX's maximum drawdown of -19.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLMIX and PTTRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLMIX	PTTRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.76%	-19.28%	-9.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.70%	-3.69%	-1.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.70%	-5.36%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.95%	-19.25%	+5.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.50%	-19.28%	+1.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.90%	+2.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.68%	-2.19%	-3.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.25%	1.39%	-0.14%

Volatility

PLMIX vs. PTTRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund (PLMIX) is 0.96%, while PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) has a volatility of 1.24%. This indicates that PLMIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PTTRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLMIX	PTTRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	1.24%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.96%	3.78%	+1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.78%	4.59%	+1.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.03%	6.29%	-0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.24%	5.24%	+1.00%

PLMIX vs. PTTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLMIX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PTTRX's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLMIX vs. PTTRX - Dividend Comparison

PLMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.95%, more than PTTRX's 4.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLMIX PIMCO Emerging Markets Currency and Short-Term Investments Fund	7.95%	7.44%	7.08%	6.40%	1.97%	1.47%	1.63%	4.10%	12.65%	2.82%	2.88%	2.75%
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	4.28%	4.47%	4.61%	3.81%	3.63%	2.59%	6.11%	3.96%	3.13%	2.63%	3.02%	6.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLMIX and PTTRX in my portfolio?

PLMIX and PTTRX have a correlation of 0.48, 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 PTTRX?

PTTRX has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to PLMIX (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLMIX dropped -28.76% vs PTTRX's -19.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 0.83), 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.