PLRIX vs. VLMIX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PLRIX (PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund) and VLMIX (Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) are both Long-Term Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, PLRIX returned -4.00%/yr vs 5.95%/yr for VLMIX. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLRIX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VLMIX.

Performance

PLRIX vs. VLMIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund (PLRIX) and Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VLMIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLRIX achieves a -0.77% return, which is significantly lower than VLMIX's 0.44% return.

PLRIX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -1.65%
• 6M: -1.72%
• YTD: -0.77%
• 1Y: 6.06%
• 3Y*: 2.76%
• 5Y*: -4.00%
• 10Y*: 1.20%

VLMIX

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -0.43%
• 6M: -3.83%
• YTD: 0.44%
• 1Y: 0.35%
• 3Y*: 5.83%
• 5Y*: 5.95%
• 10Y*: —

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

PLRIX vs. VLMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLRIX PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund	-0.77%	8.78%	-2.18%	7.24%	-28.32%	-1.53%	17.77%	18.62%	-3.83%	3.20%
VLMIX Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	0.44%	1.01%	7.83%	22.39%	-9.40%	20.12%	20.25%	35.69%	4.91%	7.31%

Correlation

The correlation between PLRIX and VLMIX is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 23, 2017	0.06

Over the past year, PLRIX and VLMIX have become more correlated (0.34) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PLRIX vs. VLMIX — 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: 13
PLRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
PLRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
PLRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PLRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

VLMIX

VLMIX Risk / Return Rank: 3
VLMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
VLMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
VLMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
VLMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
VLMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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. VLMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund (PLRIX) and Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VLMIX). 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	VLMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	0.05	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.11	0.16	+0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.02	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.90	0.05	+0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.31	0.14	+2.17

PLRIX vs. VLMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLRIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is higher than the VLMIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLRIX and VLMIX, 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. VLMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLRIX drawdown since its inception was -37.41%, which is greater than VLMIX's maximum drawdown of -35.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLRIX and VLMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLRIX	VLMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.41%	-35.47%	-1.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.99%	-11.77%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.74%	-17.59%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.81%	-21.85%	-14.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.32%	-6.83%	-14.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.50%	-4.83%	-3.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	4.30%	-1.60%

Volatility

PLRIX vs. VLMIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund (PLRIX) is 2.30%, while Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VLMIX) has a volatility of 2.64%. This indicates that PLRIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VLMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLRIX	VLMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.30%	2.64%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.58%	10.09%	-3.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.40%	13.50%	-5.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.43%	16.88%	-4.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.46%	18.62%	-7.16%

PLRIX vs. VLMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLRIX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VLMIX's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLRIX vs. VLMIX - Dividend Comparison

PLRIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.87%, more than VLMIX's 2.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLRIX PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund	4.87%	4.57%	3.75%	3.19%	3.32%	6.55%	13.35%	11.38%	5.19%	6.51%	9.97%	8.51%
VLMIX Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	2.13%	2.14%	1.21%	0.22%	7.46%	8.18%	8.10%	1.63%	5.11%	1.61%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLRIX and VLMIX in my portfolio?

PLRIX and VLMIX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLRIX or VLMIX?

VLMIX has higher volatility (2.64%) compared to PLRIX (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLRIX dropped -37.41% vs VLMIX's -35.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLRIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.75 vs 0.05), 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.