PLSRX vs. VMSAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PLSRX (Pacific Funds Strategic Income) and VMSAX (Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Over the past 3 years, PLSRX returned 7.17%/yr vs 7.90%/yr for VMSAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLSRX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for VMSAX.

Performance

PLSRX vs. VMSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacific Funds Strategic Income (PLSRX) and Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VMSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PLSRX having a 1.18% return and VMSAX slightly lower at 1.13%.

PLSRX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.63%
• 1Y: 6.44%
• 3Y*: 7.17%
• 5Y*: 3.32%
• 10Y*: 4.99%

VMSAX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.13%
• 6M: 1.69%
• 1Y: 7.13%
• 3Y*: 7.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLSRX vs. VMSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
PLSRX Pacific Funds Strategic Income	1.18%	7.40%	6.04%	11.24%	-8.12%
VMSAX Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares	1.13%	9.08%	6.86%	10.53%	-8.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSRX and VMSAX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2022	0.92

The correlation between PLSRX and VMSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLSRX vs. VMSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLSRX

PLSRX Risk / Return Rank: 72
PLSRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
PLSRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
PLSRX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
PLSRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
PLSRX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VMSAX

VMSAX Risk / Return Rank: 24
VMSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
VMSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VMSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
VMSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
VMSAX 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.

PLSRX vs. VMSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacific Funds Strategic Income (PLSRX) and Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VMSAX). 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.

	PLSRX	VMSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	0.05	+2.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	1.34	+2.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	2.11	-0.61
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	0.13	+2.92
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.74	2.04	+11.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLSRX vs. VMSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the VMSAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSRX and VMSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLSRX	VMSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	0.05	+2.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.12	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.36	0.07	+1.29

Drawdowns

PLSRX vs. VMSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSRX drawdown since its inception was -19.88%, smaller than the maximum VMSAX drawdown of -54.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSRX and VMSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSRX	VMSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.88%	-54.84%	+34.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.14%	-54.84%	+52.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.29%	-54.84%	+51.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.71%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.88%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.08%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.74%	-3.10%	+1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	3.49%	-3.01%

Volatility

PLSRX vs. VMSAX - Volatility Comparison

Pacific Funds Strategic Income (PLSRX) has a higher volatility of 1.10% compared to Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VMSAX) at 0.96%. This indicates that PLSRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSRX	VMSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.10%	0.96%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.10%	112.84%	-110.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.65%	133.58%	-130.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.01%	64.34%	-60.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.46%	64.34%	-59.88%

PLSRX vs. VMSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSRX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than VMSAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSRX vs. VMSAX - Dividend Comparison

PLSRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.61%, more than VMSAX's 5.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLSRX Pacific Funds Strategic Income	5.61%	5.67%	5.97%	5.17%	4.73%	4.10%	3.84%	4.32%	4.74%	3.87%	4.14%	4.71%
VMSAX Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares	5.55%	5.66%	6.48%	5.52%	3.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLSRX and VMSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PLSRX and VMSAX 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, PLSRX or VMSAX?

PLSRX has higher volatility (1.10%) compared to VMSAX (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSRX dropped -19.88% vs VMSAX's -54.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 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.