PTLAX vs. PTTRX
PTLAX (PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A) and PTTRX (PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - PTLAX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by PIMCO, while PTTRX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PTLAX returned 1.70%/yr vs 2.02%/yr for PTTRX. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PTLAX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for PTTRX.
Performance
PTLAX vs. PTTRX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PTLAX achieves a 0.28% return, which is significantly higher than PTTRX's -0.45% return. Over the past 10 years, PTLAX has underperformed PTTRX with an annualized return of 1.70%, while PTTRX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.02% annualized return.
PTLAX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -0.32%
- 6M
- -0.03%
- YTD
- 0.28%
- 1Y
- 2.20%
- 3Y*
- 4.36%
- 5Y*
- 1.50%
- 10Y*
- 1.70%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.21%
PTTRX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -1.37%
- 6M
- -0.80%
- YTD
- -0.45%
- 1Y
- 3.18%
- 3Y*
- 5.00%
- 5Y*
- 0.14%
- 10Y*
- 2.02%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.53%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
PTLAX vs. PTTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTLAX PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A | 0.28% | 5.27% | 4.53% | 4.72% | -5.87% | -0.96% | 3.11% | 4.19% | 0.21% | 1.50% |
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class | -0.45% | 9.35% | 2.62% | 6.33% | -14.72% | -0.59% | 8.88% | 8.36% | -0.24% | 5.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between PTLAX and PTTRX is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.72 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.74 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 1996 | 0.76 |
The correlation between PTLAX and PTTRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PTLAX vs. PTTRX — Risk / Return Rank
PTLAX
PTTRX
PTLAX vs. PTTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A (PTLAX) and PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX). 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.
| PTLAX | PTTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.18 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.94 | 1.24 | +0.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.03 | 3.31 | +3.72 |
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Drawdowns
PTLAX vs. PTTRX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PTLAX drawdown since its inception was -8.48%, smaller than the maximum PTTRX drawdown of -19.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTLAX and PTTRX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PTLAX | PTTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.48% | -19.28% | +10.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.60% | -3.69% | +2.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.60% | -5.36% | +3.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -8.29% | -19.28% | +10.99% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.48% | -19.28% | +10.80% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.42% | -2.56% | +2.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.88% | -2.19% | +1.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.44% | 1.38% | -0.94% |
Volatility
PTLAX vs. PTTRX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A (PTLAX) is 0.50%, while PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) has a volatility of 1.22%. This indicates that PTLAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PTTRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PTLAX | PTTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.50% | 1.22% | -0.72% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.64% | 3.76% | -2.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.12% | 4.59% | -2.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.47% | 6.29% | -3.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.07% | 5.24% | -3.17% |
PTLAX vs. PTTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PTLAX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than PTTRX's 0.53% expense ratio.
Dividends
PTLAX vs. PTTRX - Dividend Comparison
PTLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, less than PTTRX's 4.26% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTLAX PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A | 3.61% | 3.93% | 3.86% | 3.48% | 1.37% | 0.56% | 1.53% | 3.07% | 1.86% | 1.39% | 1.66% | 2.16% |
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class | 4.26% | 4.47% | 4.61% | 3.81% | 3.63% | 2.59% | 6.11% | 3.96% | 3.13% | 2.63% | 3.02% | 6.64% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PTLAX and PTTRX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PTTRX has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to PTLAX (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTLAX dropped -8.48% vs PTTRX's -19.28%.
PTLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 1.00), 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.
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