PLSDX vs. DFCFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PLSDX (Pacific Funds Short Duration Income) and DFCFX (DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PLSDX returned 2.95%/yr vs 2.48%/yr for DFCFX. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLSDX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for DFCFX.

Performance

PLSDX vs. DFCFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacific Funds Short Duration Income (PLSDX) and DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLSDX achieves a 0.69% return, which is significantly lower than DFCFX's 1.62% return. Over the past 10 years, PLSDX has outperformed DFCFX with an annualized return of 2.95%, while DFCFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.48% annualized return.

PLSDX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.69%
• 6M: 0.84%
• 1Y: 3.71%
• 3Y*: 5.42%
• 5Y*: 3.11%
• 10Y*: 2.95%

DFCFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 2.76%
• 3Y*: 4.02%
• 5Y*: 3.83%
• 10Y*: 2.48%

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

PLSDX vs. DFCFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLSDX Pacific Funds Short Duration Income	0.69%	5.93%	5.44%	6.68%	-2.81%	0.17%	4.04%	5.75%	0.75%	2.61%
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	1.62%	2.28%	5.33%	4.92%	-3.28%	8.60%	0.57%	2.65%	1.78%	0.92%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSDX and DFCFX is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2011	0.32

Over the past year, the correlation between PLSDX and DFCFX has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.32, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PLSDX vs. DFCFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLSDX

PLSDX Risk / Return Rank: 90
PLSDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
PLSDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PLSDX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PLSDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
PLSDX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

DFCFX

DFCFX Risk / Return Rank: 65
DFCFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DFCFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
DFCFX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DFCFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
DFCFX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

PLSDX vs. DFCFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacific Funds Short Duration Income (PLSDX) and DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX). 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.

	PLSDX	DFCFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	2.27	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.10	2.61	+1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	2.96	-1.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.93	2.73	+1.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.39	9.86	+8.53

PLSDX vs. DFCFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is comparable to the DFCFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSDX and DFCFX, 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

PLSDX vs. DFCFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSDX drawdown since its inception was -7.79%, which is greater than DFCFX's maximum drawdown of -4.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSDX and DFCFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSDX	DFCFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.79%	-4.27%	-3.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.97%	-1.03%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.97%	-1.33%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.03%	-4.27%	-0.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.79%	-4.27%	-3.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.10%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.50%	-0.26%	-0.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.21%	0.28%	-0.07%

Volatility

PLSDX vs. DFCFX - Volatility Comparison

Pacific Funds Short Duration Income (PLSDX) has a higher volatility of 0.48% compared to DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX) at 0.33%. This indicates that PLSDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSDX	DFCFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.48%	0.33%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.13%	0.49%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42%	1.24%	+0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.83%	4.39%	-2.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.77%	3.13%	-1.36%

PLSDX vs. DFCFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSDX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCFX's 0.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSDX vs. DFCFX - Dividend Comparison

PLSDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, more than DFCFX's 2.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	2.92%	2.16%	4.90%	3.43%	1.32%	8.29%	0.67%	2.22%	1.87%	1.22%	0.79%	0.53%
PLSDX Pacific Funds Short Duration Income	4.46%	4.57%	5.00%	4.01%	2.20%	2.38%	1.93%	2.66%	2.63%	2.20%	1.90%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLSDX and DFCFX in my portfolio?

PLSDX and DFCFX have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLSDX or DFCFX?

PLSDX has higher volatility (0.48%) compared to DFCFX (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSDX dropped -7.79% vs DFCFX's -4.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 2.27), 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.