PSTIX vs. PFN

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PSTIX (PIMCO StocksPLUS Short Fund) and PFN (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II) are both mutual funds - PSTIX is a Inverse Equities fund managed by PIMCO, while PFN is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PSTIX returned -10.52%/yr vs 7.87%/yr for PFN. At a correlation of -0.30, they often move in opposite directions. PSTIX charges 0.64%/yr vs 1.74%/yr for PFN.

Performance

PSTIX vs. PFN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO StocksPLUS Short Fund (PSTIX) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSTIX achieves a -6.03% return, which is significantly lower than PFN's -3.70% return. Over the past 10 years, PSTIX has underperformed PFN with an annualized return of -10.52%, while PFN has yielded a comparatively higher 7.87% annualized return.

PSTIX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: -6.03%
• 6M: -4.87%
• 1Y: -12.80%
• 3Y*: -9.79%
• 5Y*: -6.70%
• 10Y*: -10.52%

PFN

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: -3.70%
• 6M: -2.79%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 10.39%
• 5Y*: 1.62%
• 10Y*: 7.87%

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

PSTIX vs. PFN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSTIX PIMCO StocksPLUS Short Fund	-6.03%	-8.24%	-11.28%	-11.01%	17.41%	-21.89%	-20.83%	-20.27%	5.21%	-14.04%
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	-3.70%	13.07%	15.72%	15.43%	-17.65%	5.14%	3.97%	21.84%	0.94%	20.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PSTIX and PFN is -0.35, 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	-0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2004	-0.30

Return for Risk

PSTIX vs. PFN — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSTIX

PSTIX Risk / Return Rank: 0
PSTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
PSTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
PSTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 0
PSTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
PSTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 0

PFN

PFN Risk / Return Rank: 7
PFN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PFN Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PFN Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PFN Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PFN Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

PSTIX vs. PFN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO StocksPLUS Short Fund (PSTIX) and PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN). 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.

	PSTIX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.13	0.53	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.61	0.82	-2.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.11	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.91	0.50	-1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.73	1.82	-3.55

PSTIX vs. PFN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSTIX Sharpe Ratio is -1.13, which is lower than the PFN Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSTIX and PFN, 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

PSTIX vs. PFN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSTIX drawdown since its inception was -90.52%, which is greater than PFN's maximum drawdown of -80.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSTIX and PFN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSTIX	PFN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.52%	-80.08%	-10.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.05%	-10.77%	-4.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.92%	-14.31%	-19.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.53%	-33.45%	-4.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-68.34%	-45.70%	-22.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-90.31%	-4.74%	-85.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-57.24%	-11.81%	-45.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.44%	2.93%	+5.51%

Volatility

PSTIX vs. PFN - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO StocksPLUS Short Fund (PSTIX) has a higher volatility of 4.41% compared to PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN) at 2.79%. This indicates that PSTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSTIX	PFN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.41%	2.79%	+1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	9.01%	+0.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.13%	10.14%	+1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.54%	14.64%	+1.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	18.19%	-0.65%

PSTIX vs. PFN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSTIX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is lower than PFN's 1.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSTIX vs. PFN - Dividend Comparison

PSTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than PFN's 12.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	12.67%	11.49%	11.57%	11.92%	12.19%	9.71%	9.67%	9.07%	10.81%	9.20%	10.12%	11.74%
PSTIX PIMCO StocksPLUS Short Fund	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%	4.09%	1.16%	0.68%	5.06%	1.23%	1.26%	1.68%	0.00%	3.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSTIX and PFN in my portfolio?

PSTIX and PFN have a correlation of -0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSTIX or PFN?

PSTIX has higher volatility (4.41%) compared to PFN (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSTIX dropped -90.52% vs PFN's -80.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.53 vs -1.13), 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.