PTSAX vs. TGLMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTSAX (PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund) and TGLMX (TCW Total Return Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PTSAX returned 1.84%/yr vs 1.53%/yr for TGLMX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PTSAX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for TGLMX.

Performance

PTSAX vs. TGLMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) and TCW Total Return Bond Fund (TGLMX). 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 lower than TGLMX's 1.25% return. Over the past 10 years, PTSAX has outperformed TGLMX with an annualized return of 1.84%, while TGLMX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.53% 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%

TGLMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 1.25%
• 6M: 1.15%
• 1Y: 7.29%
• 3Y*: 4.76%
• 5Y*: -0.09%
• 10Y*: 1.53%

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

PTSAX vs. TGLMX - 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%
TGLMX TCW Total Return Bond Fund	1.25%	8.99%	1.82%	5.05%	-16.59%	-1.05%	8.32%	7.28%	0.80%	3.44%

Correlation

The correlation between PTSAX and TGLMX is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1994	0.74

The correlation between PTSAX and TGLMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (all time) to 0.93 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PTSAX vs. TGLMX — 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

TGLMX

TGLMX Risk / Return Rank: 38
TGLMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
TGLMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TGLMX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
TGLMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
TGLMX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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. TGLMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) and TCW Total Return Bond Fund (TGLMX). 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	TGLMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.64	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	2.48	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.31	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	2.74	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.69	8.29	-2.60
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. TGLMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the TGLMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTSAX and TGLMX, 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	TGLMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.64	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	-0.01	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.28	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.40	+0.70

Drawdowns

PTSAX vs. TGLMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTSAX drawdown since its inception was -21.12%, smaller than the maximum TGLMX drawdown of -22.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTSAX and TGLMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTSAX	TGLMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.12%	-22.26%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.62%	-2.63%	-0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.23%	-8.56%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.12%	-22.17%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.12%	-22.26%	+1.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.61%	-2.72%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-3.80%	+1.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	0.86%	+0.33%

Volatility

PTSAX vs. TGLMX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Total Return ESG Fund (PTSAX) has a higher volatility of 1.67% compared to TCW Total Return Bond Fund (TGLMX) at 1.44%. This indicates that PTSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TGLMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTSAX	TGLMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.67%	1.44%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.35%	3.00%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.39%	4.39%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.11%	7.05%	-0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.09%	5.59%	-0.50%

PTSAX vs. TGLMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTSAX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than TGLMX's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTSAX vs. TGLMX - Dividend Comparison

PTSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.95%, less than TGLMX's 6.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
TGLMX TCW Total Return Bond Fund	6.74%	7.19%	6.52%	6.13%	3.27%	2.08%	3.37%	4.07%	3.55%	2.89%	4.13%	2.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTSAX and TGLMX in my portfolio?

PTSAX and TGLMX have a correlation of 0.89, 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 TGLMX?

PTSAX has higher volatility (1.67%) compared to TGLMX (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTSAX dropped -21.12% vs TGLMX's -22.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TGLMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.55), 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.