PLRIX vs. RPLCX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PLRIX (PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund) and RPLCX (T. Rowe Price Institutional Long Duration Credit Fund) are both Long-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PLRIX returned 1.78%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for RPLCX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLRIX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for RPLCX.

Performance

PLRIX vs. RPLCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund (PLRIX) and T. Rowe Price Institutional Long Duration Credit Fund (RPLCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLRIX achieves a 1.04% return, which is significantly lower than RPLCX's 1.31% return. Over the past 10 years, PLRIX has underperformed RPLCX with an annualized return of 1.78%, while RPLCX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.30% annualized return.

PLRIX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 2.62%
• YTD: 1.04%
• 6M: 1.59%
• 1Y: 7.62%
• 3Y*: 3.35%
• 5Y*: -3.34%
• 10Y*: 1.78%

RPLCX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.51%
• YTD: 1.31%
• 6M: 2.05%
• 1Y: 7.76%
• 3Y*: 4.00%
• 5Y*: -2.85%
• 10Y*: 2.30%

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

PLRIX vs. RPLCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLRIX PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund	1.04%	8.78%	-2.18%	7.24%	-28.32%	-1.53%	17.77%	18.62%	-3.83%	12.79%
RPLCX T. Rowe Price Institutional Long Duration Credit Fund	1.31%	7.65%	-1.84%	9.05%	-27.00%	-0.19%	16.73%	23.72%	-6.27%	11.03%

Correlation

The correlation between PLRIX and RPLCX is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014	0.96

The correlation between PLRIX and RPLCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLRIX vs. RPLCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLRIX

PLRIX Risk / Return Rank: 12
PLRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
PLRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
PLRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
PLRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PLRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

RPLCX

RPLCX Risk / Return Rank: 15
RPLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
RPLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
RPLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
RPLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
RPLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

PLRIX vs. RPLCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund (PLRIX) and T. Rowe Price Institutional Long Duration Credit Fund (RPLCX). 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.

	PLRIX	RPLCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	0.99	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	1.50	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.18	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.08	1.47	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.88	4.01	-1.13

PLRIX vs. RPLCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLRIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is comparable to the RPLCX Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLRIX and RPLCX, 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

PLRIX vs. RPLCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLRIX drawdown since its inception was -37.41%, which is greater than RPLCX's maximum drawdown of -35.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLRIX and RPLCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLRIX	RPLCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.41%	-35.21%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.99%	-5.19%	-1.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.74%	-13.32%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.81%	-35.21%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.41%	-35.21%	-2.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.89%	-16.42%	-3.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.46%	-10.15%	+1.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	1.90%	+0.70%

Volatility

PLRIX vs. RPLCX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund (PLRIX) has a higher volatility of 2.35% compared to T. Rowe Price Institutional Long Duration Credit Fund (RPLCX) at 2.19%. This indicates that PLRIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RPLCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLRIX	RPLCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.35%	2.19%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.35%	5.68%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.48%	7.72%	+0.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.46%	11.63%	+0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.47%	10.60%	+0.87%

PLRIX vs. RPLCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLRIX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than RPLCX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLRIX vs. RPLCX - Dividend Comparison

PLRIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, less than RPLCX's 5.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLRIX PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund	4.67%	4.57%	3.75%	3.19%	3.32%	6.55%	13.35%	11.38%	5.19%	6.51%	9.97%	8.51%
RPLCX T. Rowe Price Institutional Long Duration Credit Fund	5.33%	5.32%	5.17%	4.15%	3.54%	6.09%	7.16%	13.58%	4.33%	4.07%	3.79%	4.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLRIX and RPLCX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, PLRIX and RPLCX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PLRIX or RPLCX?

PLRIX has higher volatility (2.35%) compared to RPLCX (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLRIX dropped -37.41% vs RPLCX's -35.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RPLCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.99 vs 0.89), 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.