PSLDX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PSLDX (PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund Class I) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - PSLDX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by PIMCO, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PSLDX returned 14.62%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PSLDX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

PSLDX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund Class I (PSLDX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PSLDX having a 9.71% return and SPY slightly higher at 9.74%. Over the past 10 years, PSLDX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 14.62%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

PSLDX

• 1D: 1.59%
• 1M: 2.71%
• YTD: 9.71%
• 6M: 9.33%
• 1Y: 31.00%
• 3Y*: 18.06%
• 5Y*: 5.29%
• 10Y*: 14.62%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

PSLDX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSLDX PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund Class I	9.71%	20.34%	15.41%	27.93%	-43.18%	25.85%	37.80%	60.43%	-9.31%	33.07%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between PSLDX and SPY is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2007	0.77

The correlation between PSLDX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (all time) to 0.87 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PSLDX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSLDX

PSLDX Risk / Return Rank: 42
PSLDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
PSLDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
PSLDX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
PSLDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
PSLDX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

PSLDX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund Class I (PSLDX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	PSLDX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.16	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	2.91	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.39	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	3.01	-0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.97	13.54	-4.57

PSLDX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSLDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSLDX and SPY, 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

PSLDX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSLDX drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSLDX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSLDX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.25%	-55.19%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.70%	-8.88%	-4.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.03%	-18.76%	-5.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.32%	-24.50%	-24.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.32%	-33.72%	-15.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-1.75%	+1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.62%	-9.04%	-1.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	1.97%	+1.45%

Volatility

PSLDX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund Class I (PSLDX) has a higher volatility of 6.50% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that PSLDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSLDX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.50%	4.64%	+1.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.12%	9.75%	+4.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.07%	12.43%	+4.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.82%	17.14%	+5.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.38%	17.99%	+3.39%

PSLDX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSLDX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSLDX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

PSLDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.85%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSLDX PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund Class I	10.85%	12.92%	15.23%	3.67%	2.66%	38.80%	12.89%	18.91%	15.58%	24.52%	11.55%	12.08%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSLDX and SPY in my portfolio?

PSLDX and SPY have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSLDX or SPY?

PSLDX has higher volatility (6.50%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSLDX dropped -55.25% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.80), 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.