PSPTX vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PSPTX (PIMCO StocksPLUS Absolute Return Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - PSPTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by PIMCO, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PSPTX returned 15.68%/yr vs 15.65%/yr for VOO. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PSPTX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

PSPTX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO StocksPLUS Absolute Return Fund (PSPTX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSPTX achieves a 10.79% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 11.69% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PSPTX having a 15.68% annualized return and VOO not far behind at 15.65%.

PSPTX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 5.47%
• YTD: 10.79%
• 6M: 7.62%
• 1Y: 26.96%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: 12.57%
• 10Y*: 15.68%

VOO

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.39%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.11%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: 22.73%
• 5Y*: 14.26%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

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

PSPTX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSPTX PIMCO StocksPLUS Absolute Return Fund	10.79%	16.07%	25.78%	26.92%	-22.08%	27.99%	18.86%	36.66%	-5.65%	23.90%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between PSPTX and VOO is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.98

The correlation between PSPTX and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSPTX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSPTX

PSPTX Risk / Return Rank: 43
PSPTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
PSPTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
PSPTX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
PSPTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PSPTX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 75
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

PSPTX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO StocksPLUS Absolute Return Fund (PSPTX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	PSPTX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.53	-0.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	3.43	-0.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.46	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	3.42	-1.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.52	15.95	-7.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSPTX vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSPTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSPTX and VOO, 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

	PSPTX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.53	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.85	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.87	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.89	-0.28

Drawdowns

PSPTX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSPTX drawdown since its inception was -61.82%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSPTX and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSPTX	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.82%	-33.99%	-27.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.70%	-8.90%	-3.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.80%	-18.69%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.53%	-24.52%	-4.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.47%	-33.99%	-5.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.76%	-3.69%	-3.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.32%	1.91%	+1.41%

Volatility

PSPTX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO StocksPLUS Absolute Return Fund (PSPTX) has a higher volatility of 3.36% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 2.74%. This indicates that PSPTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSPTX	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.36%	2.74%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.68%	8.88%	+1.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.37%	11.78%	+1.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.75%	16.81%	+0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.92%	18.01%	+0.91%

PSPTX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSPTX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSPTX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

PSPTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.11%, more than VOO's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSPTX PIMCO StocksPLUS Absolute Return Fund	12.11%	14.54%	10.60%	2.60%	4.72%	32.14%	4.56%	11.00%	11.46%	17.93%	0.16%	5.71%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSPTX and VOO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, PSPTX and VOO 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, PSPTX or VOO?

PSPTX has higher volatility (3.36%) compared to VOO (2.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSPTX dropped -61.82% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 2.09), 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.