PTLAX vs. VSCSX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PTLAX (PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A) and VSCSX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PTLAX returned 1.70%/yr vs 2.64%/yr for VSCSX. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PTLAX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VSCSX.

Performance

PTLAX vs. VSCSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A (PTLAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTLAX achieves a 0.28% return, which is significantly lower than VSCSX's 0.84% return. Over the past 10 years, PTLAX has underperformed VSCSX with an annualized return of 1.70%, while VSCSX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.64% 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%

VSCSX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.09%
• 6M: 0.47%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 1Y: 3.13%
• 3Y*: 5.51%
• 5Y*: 2.36%
• 10Y*: 2.64%
• ALL TIME*: 2.89%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PTLAX PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PTLAX vs. VSCSX - 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%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.84%	6.75%	5.36%	6.11%	-5.72%	-0.43%	5.06%	6.85%	0.88%	2.46%

Correlation

The correlation between PTLAX and VSCSX is 0.73, 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.	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2009	0.62

The correlation between PTLAX and VSCSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (all time) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PTLAX vs. VSCSX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PTLAX

PTLAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
PTLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
PTLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
PTLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
PTLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
PTLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VSCSX

VSCSX Risk / Return Rank: 84
VSCSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VSCSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VSCSX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
VSCSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
VSCSX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PTLAX vs. VSCSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A (PTLAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX). 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	VSCSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.06	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	3.05	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.40	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	2.69	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.03	10.30	-3.27

PTLAX vs. VSCSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTLAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the VSCSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTLAX and VSCSX, 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

PTLAX vs. VSCSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTLAX drawdown since its inception was -8.48%, smaller than the maximum VSCSX drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTLAX and VSCSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTLAX	VSCSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.48%	-9.36%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.60%	-1.36%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.60%	-1.36%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.29%	-9.32%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.48%	-9.36%	+0.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-0.23%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.88%	-0.97%	+0.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.44%	0.36%	+0.08%

Volatility

PTLAX vs. VSCSX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Low Duration Fund Class A (PTLAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX) have volatilities of 0.50% and 0.51%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTLAX	VSCSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.50%	0.51%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.64%	1.43%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12%	1.79%	+0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.47%	2.73%	-0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.07%	2.37%	-0.30%

PTLAX vs. VSCSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTLAX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VSCSX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTLAX vs. VSCSX - Dividend Comparison

PTLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, less than VSCSX's 4.05% 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%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.05%	4.32%	4.27%	3.07%	1.98%	1.78%	2.25%	2.85%	2.66%	2.26%	1.93%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTLAX and VSCSX in my portfolio?

PTLAX and VSCSX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTLAX or VSCSX?

VSCSX has higher volatility (0.51%) compared to PTLAX (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTLAX dropped -8.48% vs VSCSX's -9.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.47), 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.