PTSAX vs. PFN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTSAX (PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund) and PFN (PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II) are both mutual funds - PTSAX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PIMCO, while PFN is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PTSAX returned 1.84%/yr vs 7.89%/yr for PFN. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PTSAX charges 0.51%/yr vs 1.74%/yr for PFN.

Performance

PTSAX vs. PFN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) 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, PTSAX achieves a 0.50% return, which is significantly higher than PFN's -4.15% return. Over the past 10 years, PTSAX has underperformed PFN with an annualized return of 1.84%, while PFN has yielded a comparatively higher 7.89% annualized return.

PTSAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.59%
• 1Y: 6.76%
• 3Y*: 4.89%
• 5Y*: -0.08%
• 10Y*: 1.84%

PFN

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: -3.36%
• YTD: -4.15%
• 6M: -2.44%
• 1Y: 5.30%
• 3Y*: 10.63%
• 5Y*: 1.97%
• 10Y*: 7.89%

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

PTSAX vs. PFN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTSAX PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund	0.50%	8.56%	2.31%	5.50%	-16.17%	-1.07%	8.98%	8.97%	-0.78%	4.46%
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	-4.15%	13.07%	15.72%	15.43%	-17.65%	5.14%	3.97%	21.84%	0.94%	20.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PTSAX and PFN is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2004	0.11

Over the past year, PTSAX and PFN have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.11, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PTSAX vs. PFN — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTSAX

PTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 28
PTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
PTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
PTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
PTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

PFN

PFN Risk / Return Rank: 6
PFN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
PFN Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
PFN Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PFN Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
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.

PTSAX vs. PFN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) 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.

	PTSAX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	0.53	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	0.82	+1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.11	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	0.49	+1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.69	1.95	+3.74
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. PFN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the PFN Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTSAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PTSAX	PFN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	0.53	+1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	0.14	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.44	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.28	+0.82

Drawdowns

PTSAX vs. PFN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTSAX drawdown since its inception was -21.12%, smaller than the maximum PFN drawdown of -80.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTSAX and PFN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTSAX	PFN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.12%	-80.08%	+58.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.62%	-10.77%	+7.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.23%	-14.31%	+8.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.12%	-33.45%	+12.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.12%	-45.70%	+24.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.61%	-5.19%	+2.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-11.83%	+9.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	2.72%	-1.53%

Volatility

PTSAX vs. PFN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) is 1.67%, while PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN) has a volatility of 3.39%. This indicates that PTSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTSAX	PFN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.67%	3.39%	-1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.35%	8.89%	-5.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.39%	10.05%	-5.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.11%	14.66%	-8.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.09%	18.19%	-13.10%

PTSAX vs. PFN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTSAX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than PFN's 1.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTSAX vs. PFN - Dividend Comparison

PTSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.95%, less than PFN's 12.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFN PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II	12.60%	11.49%	11.57%	11.92%	12.19%	9.71%	9.67%	9.07%	10.81%	9.20%	10.12%	11.74%
PTSAX PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund	3.95%	3.87%	3.89%	3.32%	3.68%	2.96%	4.60%	3.48%	2.56%	2.03%	2.96%	4.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTSAX and PFN in my portfolio?

PTSAX 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, PTSAX or PFN?

PFN has higher volatility (3.39%) compared to PTSAX (1.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTSAX dropped -21.12% vs PFN's -80.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.53), 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.