PYARX vs. PYEMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PYARX (Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund) and PYEMX (Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - PYARX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by Paydenfunds, while PYEMX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by Paydenfunds. Over the past 10 years, PYARX returned 3.31%/yr vs 4.47%/yr for PYEMX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PYARX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for PYEMX.

Performance

PYARX vs. PYEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund (PYARX) and Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund (PYEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PYARX achieves a 0.82% return, which is significantly lower than PYEMX's 2.78% return. Over the past 10 years, PYARX has underperformed PYEMX with an annualized return of 3.31%, while PYEMX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.47% annualized return.

PYARX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 1.20%
• 1Y: 4.76%
• 3Y*: 5.88%
• 5Y*: 3.44%
• 10Y*: 3.31%

PYEMX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.49%
• YTD: 2.78%
• 6M: 3.45%
• 1Y: 14.98%
• 3Y*: 12.07%
• 5Y*: 3.10%
• 10Y*: 4.47%

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

PYARX vs. PYEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PYARX Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund	0.82%	5.84%	7.55%	6.22%	-2.74%	1.13%	2.81%	5.52%	0.95%	3.40%
PYEMX Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund	2.78%	15.27%	7.93%	12.35%	-17.39%	-2.37%	6.16%	16.40%	-7.03%	12.00%

Correlation

The correlation between PYARX and PYEMX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.38

Over the past year, PYARX and PYEMX have become more correlated (0.62) than their long-term average of 0.38, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PYARX vs. PYEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PYARX

PYARX Risk / Return Rank: 68
PYARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PYARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
PYARX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PYARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PYARX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

PYEMX

PYEMX Risk / Return Rank: 85
PYEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PYEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
PYEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
PYEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
PYEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

PYARX vs. PYEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund (PYARX) and Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund (PYEMX). 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.

	PYARX	PYEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	3.43	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.05	5.49	-1.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.75	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	3.26	-0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.86	13.52	-3.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PYARX vs. PYEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PYARX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the PYEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PYARX and PYEMX, 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

	PYARX	PYEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	3.43	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.47	0.47	+1.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.17	0.68	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	1.15	+0.02

Drawdowns

PYARX vs. PYEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PYARX drawdown since its inception was -15.70%, smaller than the maximum PYEMX drawdown of -30.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYARX and PYEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PYARX	PYEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-30.26%	+14.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.96%	-4.68%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.18%	-7.08%	+4.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.12%	-30.26%	+24.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.70%	-30.26%	+14.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	0.00%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-4.01%	+3.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	1.13%	-0.65%

Volatility

PYARX vs. PYEMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund (PYARX) is 0.40%, while Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund (PYEMX) has a volatility of 1.55%. This indicates that PYARX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PYEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PYARX	PYEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	1.55%	-1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.38%	3.75%	-2.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82%	4.45%	-2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.35%	6.63%	-4.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.84%	6.62%	-3.78%

PYARX vs. PYEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PYARX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than PYEMX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

PYARX vs. PYEMX - Dividend Comparison

PYARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.24%, less than PYEMX's 6.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PYARX Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund	6.24%	6.69%	6.68%	5.18%	3.59%	2.24%	2.50%	3.15%	3.41%	2.54%	2.52%	2.16%
PYEMX Payden Emerging Markets Bond Fund	6.63%	6.61%	7.36%	6.10%	7.80%	5.73%	4.66%	5.46%	6.18%	5.40%	5.60%	5.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PYARX and PYEMX in my portfolio?

PYARX and PYEMX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PYARX or PYEMX?

PYEMX has higher volatility (1.55%) compared to PYARX (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYARX dropped -15.70% vs PYEMX's -30.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PYEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.43 vs 2.63), 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.