PUTIX vs. BTFAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PUTIX (PIMCO Strategic Bond Fund) and BTFAX (BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund) are both Nontraditional Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PUTIX returned 4.02%/yr vs -0.48%/yr for BTFAX. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PUTIX charges 0.51%/yr vs 1.65%/yr for BTFAX.

Performance

PUTIX vs. BTFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Strategic Bond Fund (PUTIX) and BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund (BTFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PUTIX achieves a 1.45% return, which is significantly higher than BTFAX's -1.05% return. Over the past 10 years, PUTIX has outperformed BTFAX with an annualized return of 4.02%, while BTFAX has yielded a comparatively lower -0.48% annualized return.

PUTIX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 2.12%
• 1Y: 7.07%
• 3Y*: 6.87%
• 5Y*: 2.99%
• 10Y*: 4.02%

BTFAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: -1.05%
• 6M: -0.78%
• 1Y: 2.82%
• 3Y*: 2.84%
• 5Y*: -1.73%
• 10Y*: -0.48%

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

PUTIX vs. BTFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PUTIX PIMCO Strategic Bond Fund	1.45%	8.12%	6.35%	6.65%	-6.51%	0.44%	4.33%	5.24%	3.34%	7.87%
BTFAX BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund	-1.05%	2.96%	3.52%	2.12%	-12.82%	-2.18%	1.43%	4.30%	-6.53%	2.86%

Correlation

The correlation between PUTIX and BTFAX is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2013	0.24

Over the past year, PUTIX and BTFAX have become more correlated (0.61) than their long-term average of 0.24, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PUTIX vs. BTFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PUTIX

PUTIX Risk / Return Rank: 92
PUTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PUTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
PUTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PUTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
PUTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

BTFAX

BTFAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
BTFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
BTFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
BTFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
BTFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
BTFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

PUTIX vs. BTFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Strategic Bond Fund (PUTIX) and BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund (BTFAX). 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.

	PUTIX	BTFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.90	0.82	+2.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.31	1.15	+4.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.16	+0.62
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.34	1.04	+3.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.88	2.55	+16.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PUTIX vs. BTFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PUTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.90, which is higher than the BTFAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PUTIX and BTFAX, 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

	PUTIX	BTFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90	0.82	+2.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.09	-0.32	+1.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.48	-0.10	+1.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.10	+1.00

Drawdowns

PUTIX vs. BTFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PUTIX drawdown since its inception was -9.59%, smaller than the maximum BTFAX drawdown of -19.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PUTIX and BTFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PUTIX	BTFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.59%	-19.78%	+10.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.65%	-2.84%	+1.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.96%	-4.89%	+2.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.59%	-18.49%	+8.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.59%	-19.78%	+10.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-10.85%	+10.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.24%	-6.27%	+5.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.38%	1.16%	-0.78%

Volatility

PUTIX vs. BTFAX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Strategic Bond Fund (PUTIX) has a higher volatility of 0.92% compared to BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund (BTFAX) at 0.68%. This indicates that PUTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BTFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PUTIX	BTFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.92%	0.68%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.00%	2.32%	-0.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46%	3.64%	-1.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.76%	5.46%	-2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.72%	4.91%	-2.19%

PUTIX vs. BTFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PUTIX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than BTFAX's 1.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PUTIX vs. BTFAX - Dividend Comparison

PUTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, more than BTFAX's 4.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTFAX BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund	4.32%	4.39%	2.71%	3.52%	2.11%	1.69%	0.68%	3.17%	3.38%	2.67%	4.89%	0.87%
PUTIX PIMCO Strategic Bond Fund	4.67%	4.56%	4.19%	2.36%	2.32%	1.17%	2.07%	3.31%	2.81%	4.62%	2.58%	4.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PUTIX and BTFAX in my portfolio?

PUTIX and BTFAX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PUTIX or BTFAX?

PUTIX has higher volatility (0.92%) compared to BTFAX (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PUTIX dropped -9.59% vs BTFAX's -19.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PUTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 0.81), 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.