PTTRX vs. PCLAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTTRX (PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class) and PCLAX (PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - PTTRX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by PIMCO, while PCLAX is a Commodities fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, PTTRX returned 2.31%/yr vs 11.33%/yr for PCLAX. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. PTTRX charges 0.47%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for PCLAX.

Performance

PTTRX vs. PCLAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) and PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTTRX achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than PCLAX's 36.60% return. Over the past 10 years, PTTRX has underperformed PCLAX with an annualized return of 2.31%, while PCLAX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.33% annualized return.

PTTRX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.81%
• 1Y: 7.46%
• 3Y*: 5.45%
• 5Y*: 0.76%
• 10Y*: 2.31%

PCLAX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -3.72%
• YTD: 36.60%
• 6M: 35.76%
• 1Y: 45.73%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 15.51%
• 10Y*: 11.33%

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

PTTRX vs. PCLAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	0.64%	9.35%	2.62%	6.33%	-14.72%	-0.59%	8.88%	8.36%	-0.24%	5.13%
PCLAX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	36.60%	4.13%	5.76%	-0.14%	22.73%	43.18%	-9.67%	19.19%	-12.47%	10.30%

Correlation

The correlation between PTTRX and PCLAX is -0.39, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2010	-0.08

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between PTTRX and PCLAX has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.08 to -0.39, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

PTTRX vs. PCLAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTTRX

PTTRX Risk / Return Rank: 30
PTTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
PTTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
PTTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
PTTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
PTTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

PCLAX

PCLAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
PCLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
PCLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
PCLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PCLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
PCLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

PTTRX vs. PCLAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) and PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLAX). 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.

	PTTRX	PCLAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.44	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	3.07	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	6.83	-4.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.20	17.57	-11.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTTRX vs. PCLAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTTRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is lower than the PCLAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTTRX and PCLAX, 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

	PTTRX	PCLAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	2.44	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.80	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.28	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.15	0.15	+0.99

Drawdowns

PTTRX vs. PCLAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTTRX drawdown since its inception was -19.28%, smaller than the maximum PCLAX drawdown of -68.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTTRX and PCLAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTTRX	PCLAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.28%	-68.19%	+48.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.69%	-6.93%	+3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.18%	-13.76%	+7.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.28%	-21.75%	+2.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.28%	-52.00%	+32.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.49%	-4.77%	+3.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-25.66%	+23.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	2.69%	-1.50%

Volatility

PTTRX vs. PCLAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) is 1.81%, while PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLAX) has a volatility of 6.95%. This indicates that PTTRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PCLAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTTRX	PCLAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.81%	6.95%	-5.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.54%	16.84%	-13.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.66%	19.49%	-14.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.27%	19.53%	-13.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.23%	40.66%	-35.43%

PTTRX vs. PCLAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTTRX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than PCLAX's 1.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTTRX vs. PCLAX - Dividend Comparison

PTTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.54%, more than PCLAX's 1.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCLAX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	1.24%	1.20%	5.20%	4.58%	44.24%	75.67%	0.45%	2.07%	18.31%	12.18%	0.09%	1.77%
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	4.54%	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

Can I hold both PTTRX and PCLAX in my portfolio?

PTTRX and PCLAX have a correlation of -0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTTRX or PCLAX?

PCLAX has higher volatility (6.95%) compared to PTTRX (1.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTTRX dropped -19.28% vs PCLAX's -68.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.59), 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.