PQTAX vs. CSM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PQTAX (PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A) and CSM (Proshares Large Cap Core Plus) are both funds - PQTAX is a Systematic Trend fund managed by PIMCO, while CSM is a Long-Short fund tracking the Credit Suisse 130/30 Large-Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, PQTAX returned 4.17%/yr vs 14.36%/yr for CSM. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PQTAX charges 1.81%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for CSM.

Performance

PQTAX vs. CSM - 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 Proshares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PQTAX achieves a 6.24% return, which is significantly lower than CSM's 8.62% return. Over the past 10 years, PQTAX has underperformed CSM with an annualized return of 4.17%, while CSM has yielded a comparatively higher 14.36% annualized return.

PQTAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.56%
• YTD: 6.24%
• 6M: 8.42%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: 0.33%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: 4.17%

CSM

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 4.86%
• YTD: 8.62%
• 6M: 9.99%
• 1Y: 28.48%
• 3Y*: 22.04%
• 5Y*: 13.38%
• 10Y*: 14.36%

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

PQTAX vs. CSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PQTAX PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A	6.24%	2.06%	-3.31%	-4.52%	11.06%	14.52%	8.48%	2.63%	1.98%	4.51%
CSM Proshares Large Cap Core Plus	8.62%	21.84%	22.09%	23.50%	-18.27%	33.13%	10.94%	29.26%	-7.88%	22.52%

Correlation

The correlation between PQTAX and CSM is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.02
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.01

Over the past year, PQTAX and CSM have become more correlated (0.26) than their long-term average of 0.01, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PQTAX vs. CSM — 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: 67
PQTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PQTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
PQTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
PQTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

CSM

CSM Risk / Return Rank: 69
CSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
CSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
CSM Omega Ratio Rank: 69
CSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
CSM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. CSM - 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 Proshares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM). 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.

	PQTAX	CSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.40	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	3.30	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.42	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.37	3.04	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.35	13.25	-0.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PQTAX vs. CSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PQTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the CSM Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PQTAX and CSM, 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

	PQTAX	CSM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.40	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.79	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.78	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.86	-0.40

Drawdowns

PQTAX vs. CSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQTAX drawdown since its inception was -28.39%, smaller than the maximum CSM drawdown of -36.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQTAX and CSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQTAX	CSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.39%	-36.11%	+7.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.66%	-9.40%	+4.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.94%	-18.30%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.39%	-23.82%	-4.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.39%	-36.11%	+7.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.22%	-1.18%	-11.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.37%	-4.04%	-5.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.64%	2.15%	-0.51%

Volatility

PQTAX vs. CSM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A (PQTAX) is 1.85%, while Proshares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that PQTAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PQTAX	CSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.85%	2.85%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.60%	8.81%	-2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.49%	11.95%	-3.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.93%	17.11%	-7.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.44%	18.38%	-8.94%

PQTAX vs. CSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQTAX has a 1.81% expense ratio, which is higher than CSM's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

PQTAX vs. CSM - Dividend Comparison

PQTAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSM Proshares Large Cap Core Plus	1.01%	1.04%	1.06%	1.17%	1.37%	0.78%	1.21%	1.41%	1.54%	1.28%	1.49%	1.67%
PQTAX PIMCO TRENDS Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A	0.00%	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 CSM in my portfolio?

PQTAX and CSM have a correlation of 0.26, 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 CSM?

CSM has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to PQTAX (1.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQTAX dropped -28.39% vs CSM's -36.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.40), 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.