PSTKX vs. VPMAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about PIMCO StocksPLUS Fund (PSTKX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX).

PSTKX is managed by PIMCO. It was launched on May 13, 1993. VPMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 12, 2001.

Performance

PSTKX vs. VPMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO StocksPLUS Fund (PSTKX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

PSTKX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSTKX PIMCO StocksPLUS Fund	-7.47%	11.51%	25.03%	26.53%	-21.20%	28.03%	18.27%	46.11%	-5.56%	22.42%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	-5.86%	54.11%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSTKX achieves a -7.47% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's -5.86% return. Over the past 10 years, PSTKX has underperformed VPMAX with an annualized return of 13.82%, while VPMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.53% annualized return.

PSTKX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: -8.05%
• YTD: -7.47%
• 6M: -10.26%
• 1Y: 7.63%
• 3Y*: 14.99%
• 5Y*: 9.21%
• 10Y*: 13.82%

VPMAX

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: -10.43%
• YTD: -5.86%
• 6M: 22.85%
• 1Y: 46.58%
• 3Y*: 25.38%
• 5Y*: 14.62%
• 10Y*: 16.53%

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

PSTKX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSTKX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than VPMAX's 0.31% expense ratio.

PSTKX

PIMCO StocksPLUS Fund

VPMAX

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares

Return for Risk

PSTKX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSTKX

PSTKX Risk / Return Rank: 16
PSTKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
PSTKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
PSTKX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
PSTKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
PSTKX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

PSTKX vs. VPMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO StocksPLUS Fund (PSTKX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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.

	PSTKX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.43	1.64	-1.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	3.07	-2.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.44	-0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	3.21	-2.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.36	14.01	-12.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSTKX vs. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSTKX Sharpe Ratio is 0.43, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSTKX and VPMAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSTKX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43	1.64	-1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.73	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.83	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.61	-0.08

Correlation

The correlation between PSTKX and VPMAX is 0.93, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

PSTKX vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

PSTKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.99%, less than VPMAX's 33.83% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSTKX PIMCO StocksPLUS Fund	13.99%	12.67%	12.28%	2.89%	9.61%	14.34%	3.96%	23.49%	20.86%	1.32%	1.03%	10.86%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	33.83%	31.85%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%

Drawdowns

PSTKX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSTKX drawdown since its inception was -62.59%, which is greater than VPMAX's maximum drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSTKX and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSTKX	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.59%	-48.32%	-14.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.72%	-13.75%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.37%	-25.21%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.45%	-32.65%	-3.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.72%	-11.72%	-2.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.38%	-6.61%	-2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.28%	3.15%	+1.13%

Volatility

PSTKX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO StocksPLUS Fund (PSTKX) is 4.32%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 5.57%. This indicates that PSTKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSTKX	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	5.57%	-1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.13%	21.87%	-10.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.52%	28.87%	-9.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	20.12%	-2.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.66%	20.09%	-1.43%