PQTAX vs. BTAL

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

PQTAX (PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A) and BTAL (AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund) are both funds - PQTAX is a Systematic Trend fund managed by PIMCO, while BTAL is a Equity Market Neutral fund actively managed by AGF. Over the past 10 years, PQTAX returned 3.87%/yr vs -5.09%/yr for BTAL. At a correlation of -0.00, they often move in opposite directions. PQTAX charges 1.81%/yr vs 1.40%/yr for BTAL.

Performance

PQTAX vs. BTAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A (PQTAX) and AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PQTAX achieves a 3.78% return, which is significantly higher than BTAL's -19.60% return. Over the past 10 years, PQTAX has outperformed BTAL with an annualized return of 3.87%, while BTAL has yielded a comparatively lower -5.09% annualized return.

PQTAX

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 1.54%
• YTD: 3.78%
• 1Y: 16.03%
• 3Y*: 0.14%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 3.87%

BTAL

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 3.58%
• 6M: -17.42%
• YTD: -19.60%
• 1Y: -30.72%
• 3Y*: -10.44%
• 5Y*: -5.43%
• 10Y*: -5.09%

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

PQTAX vs. BTAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PQTAX PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A	3.78%	2.06%	-3.31%	-4.52%	11.06%	14.52%	8.48%	2.63%	1.98%	4.51%
BTAL AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund	-19.60%	-20.17%	12.83%	-15.11%	20.48%	-6.81%	-13.86%	1.07%	15.13%	-2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between PQTAX and BTAL is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014	-0.00

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between PQTAX and BTAL has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.00 to -0.21, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

PQTAX vs. BTAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

PQTAX

PQTAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
PQTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
PQTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PQTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
PQTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PQTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

BTAL

BTAL Risk / Return Rank: 1
BTAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
BTAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
BTAL Omega Ratio Rank: 1
BTAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
BTAL Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

PQTAX vs. BTAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A (PQTAX) and AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL). 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.

	PQTAX	BTAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	-1.32	+3.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	-1.99	+4.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	0.79	+0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	-0.89	+4.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.64	-1.69	+10.33

PQTAX vs. BTAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PQTAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is higher than the BTAL Sharpe Ratio of -1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PQTAX and BTAL, 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

PQTAX vs. BTAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQTAX drawdown since its inception was -28.39%, smaller than the maximum BTAL drawdown of -52.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQTAX and BTAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQTAX	BTAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.39%	-52.70%	+24.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.66%	-34.57%	+29.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.94%	-47.83%	+28.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.39%	-47.83%	+19.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.39%	-52.70%	+24.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.25%	-49.89%	+35.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.41%	-22.17%	+12.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	18.20%	-16.39%

Volatility

PQTAX vs. BTAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A (PQTAX) is 2.35%, while AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL) has a volatility of 7.98%. This indicates that PQTAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BTAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PQTAX	BTAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.35%	7.98%	-5.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.65%	17.24%	-10.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.64%	23.29%	-14.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.95%	19.23%	-9.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.34%	17.37%	-8.03%

PQTAX vs. BTAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQTAX has a 1.81% expense ratio, which is higher than BTAL's 1.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

PQTAX vs. BTAL - Dividend Comparison

PQTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, less than BTAL's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTAL AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund	3.09%	2.49%	3.49%	6.14%	1.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.88%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PQTAX PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	14.61%	2.22%	4.46%	2.29%	0.10%	2.54%	0.00%	7.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PQTAX and BTAL in my portfolio?

PQTAX and BTAL have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PQTAX or BTAL?

BTAL has higher volatility (7.98%) compared to PQTAX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQTAX dropped -28.39% vs BTAL's -52.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs -1.32), 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.