PTSAX vs. NPCT

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) and Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT).

PTSAX is managed by PIMCO. It was launched on May 1, 1991. NPCT is an actively managed fund by Nuveen. It was launched on Apr 28, 2021.

Performance

PTSAX vs. NPCT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) and Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

PTSAX vs. NPCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PTSAX PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund	-1.05%	8.56%	2.31%	5.50%	-16.17%	1.25%
NPCT Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund	3.03%	9.87%	17.23%	7.78%	-37.50%	-4.98%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTSAX achieves a -1.05% return, which is significantly lower than NPCT's 3.03% return.

PTSAX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -3.12%
• YTD: -1.05%
• 6M: 0.44%
• 1Y: 3.91%
• 3Y*: 4.08%
• 5Y*: -0.15%
• 10Y*: 1.79%

NPCT

• 1D: 3.35%
• 1M: -3.20%
• YTD: 3.03%
• 6M: -1.87%
• 1Y: 7.63%
• 3Y*: 12.19%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PTSAX vs. NPCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTSAX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than NPCT's 5.08% expense ratio.

NPCT

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

PTSAX

PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund

Return for Risk

PTSAX vs. NPCT — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTSAX

PTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
PTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
PTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
PTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
PTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

NPCT

NPCT Risk / Return Rank: 26
NPCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
NPCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
NPCT Omega Ratio Rank: 22
NPCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
NPCT Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

PTSAX vs. NPCT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) and Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT). 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.

	PTSAX	NPCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	0.64	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.32	0.99	+0.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.13	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	1.02	+0.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.13	2.56	+1.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTSAX vs. NPCT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTSAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is higher than the NPCT Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTSAX and NPCT, 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

	PTSAX	NPCT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	0.64	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.02	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	-0.25	+1.34

Correlation

The correlation between PTSAX and NPCT is 0.49, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

PTSAX vs. NPCT - Dividend Comparison

PTSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.60%, less than NPCT's 12.55% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTSAX PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund	3.60%	3.87%	3.89%	3.32%	3.68%	2.96%	4.60%	3.48%	2.56%	2.03%	2.96%	4.71%
NPCT Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund	12.55%	13.15%	12.20%	10.28%	11.93%	3.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

PTSAX vs. NPCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTSAX drawdown since its inception was -21.12%, smaller than the maximum NPCT drawdown of -46.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTSAX and NPCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTSAX	NPCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.12%	-46.77%	+25.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.63%	-7.30%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	-16.35%	+12.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-25.61%	+23.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	2.90%	-1.71%

Volatility

PTSAX vs. NPCT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) is 1.95%, while Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (NPCT) has a volatility of 4.90%. This indicates that PTSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NPCT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTSAX	NPCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.95%	4.90%	-2.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.90%	6.53%	-3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.84%	11.93%	-7.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.05%	13.15%	-7.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.05%	13.15%	-8.10%