PQCNX vs. PCIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PQCNX (PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund) and PCIFX (PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, PQCNX returned -0.24%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for PCIFX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PQCNX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for PCIFX.

Performance

PQCNX vs. PCIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund (PQCNX) and PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments (PCIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PQCNX achieves a 0.48% return, which is significantly lower than PCIFX's 0.65% return.

PQCNX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: 0.37%
• 1Y: 5.53%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: -0.24%
• 10Y*: —

PCIFX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 6M: 0.54%
• 1Y: 5.77%
• 3Y*: 5.58%
• 5Y*: 1.03%
• 10Y*: 2.07%

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

PQCNX vs. PCIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PQCNX PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund	0.48%	7.13%	1.44%	4.88%	-14.28%	-2.30%	7.01%	8.41%	-0.38%	1.89%
PCIFX PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments	0.65%	7.03%	3.84%	7.82%	-13.38%	-1.83%	8.04%	8.66%	-0.86%	3.27%

Correlation

The correlation between PQCNX and PCIFX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.91

The correlation between PQCNX and PCIFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.93 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PQCNX vs. PCIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PQCNX

PQCNX Risk / Return Rank: 22
PQCNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PQCNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PQCNX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
PQCNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
PQCNX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

PCIFX

PCIFX Risk / Return Rank: 39
PCIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
PCIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
PCIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
PCIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
PCIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

PQCNX vs. PCIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund (PQCNX) and PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments (PCIFX). 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.

	PQCNX	PCIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	1.64	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	2.52	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.31	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	2.75	-1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.27	8.55	-3.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PQCNX vs. PCIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PQCNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is comparable to the PCIFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PQCNX and PCIFX, 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

	PQCNX	PCIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.35	1.64	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04	0.18	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.86	-0.61

Drawdowns

PQCNX vs. PCIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQCNX drawdown since its inception was -20.33%, which is greater than PCIFX's maximum drawdown of -18.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQCNX and PCIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQCNX	PCIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.33%	-18.54%	-1.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.17%	-2.30%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.37%	-5.34%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.42%	-18.16%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.48%	-0.85%	-3.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.07%	-1.90%	-4.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.05%	0.73%	+0.32%

Volatility

PQCNX vs. PCIFX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund (PQCNX) and PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments (PCIFX) have volatilities of 1.33% and 1.33%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PQCNX	PCIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	1.33%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.96%	2.61%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.13%	3.87%	+0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.11%	5.79%	+0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.10%	4.70%	+0.40%

PQCNX vs. PCIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQCNX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than PCIFX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

PQCNX vs. PCIFX - Dividend Comparison

PQCNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, less than PCIFX's 5.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCIFX PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments	5.48%	5.04%	6.03%	5.50%	2.79%	2.93%	4.46%	2.61%	2.70%	1.99%	1.86%	2.20%
PQCNX PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund	4.24%	4.17%	3.91%	2.74%	1.98%	2.13%	3.13%	2.71%	2.66%	0.97%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PQCNX and PCIFX in my portfolio?

PQCNX and PCIFX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PQCNX or PCIFX?

PCIFX has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to PQCNX (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQCNX dropped -20.33% vs PCIFX's -18.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.35), 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.