PYARX vs. PYGFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PYARX (Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund) and PYGFX (Payden Global Fixed Income Fund) are both mutual funds - PYARX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by Paydenfunds, while PYGFX is a Global Bonds fund managed by Paydenfunds. Over the past 10 years, PYARX returned 3.31%/yr vs 2.04%/yr for PYGFX. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.

Performance

PYARX vs. PYGFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund (PYARX) and Payden Global Fixed Income Fund (PYGFX). 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 higher than PYGFX's 0.40% return. Over the past 10 years, PYARX has outperformed PYGFX with an annualized return of 3.31%, while PYGFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.04% annualized return.

PYARX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 1.31%
• 1Y: 4.76%
• 3Y*: 5.88%
• 5Y*: 3.44%
• 10Y*: 3.31%

PYGFX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 0.40%
• 6M: 0.63%
• 1Y: 4.25%
• 3Y*: 4.67%
• 5Y*: 0.72%
• 10Y*: 2.04%

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

PYARX vs. PYGFX - 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%
PYGFX Payden Global Fixed Income Fund	0.40%	5.20%	3.90%	7.34%	-12.37%	-0.89%	5.92%	8.61%	-0.26%	4.11%

Correlation

The correlation between PYARX and PYGFX is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.46

Over the past year, PYARX and PYGFX have become more correlated (0.67) than their long-term average of 0.46, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PYARX vs. PYGFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PYARX

PYARX Risk / Return Rank: 67
PYARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
PYARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PYARX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PYARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
PYARX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

PYGFX

PYGFX Risk / Return Rank: 19
PYGFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PYGFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PYGFX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PYGFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
PYGFX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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. PYGFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund (PYARX) and Payden Global Fixed Income Fund (PYGFX). 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	PYGFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	1.34	+1.22
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	2.00	+1.94
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.25	+0.35
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	1.33	+1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.84	4.14	+5.70
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. PYGFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PYARX Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is higher than the PYGFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PYARX and PYGFX, 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	PYGFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	1.34	+1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.47	0.17	+1.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.17	0.56	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	1.21	-0.04

Drawdowns

PYARX vs. PYGFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PYARX drawdown since its inception was -15.70%, roughly equal to the maximum PYGFX drawdown of -15.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYARX and PYGFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PYARX	PYGFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-15.94%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.96%	-3.20%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.18%	-4.25%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.12%	-15.94%	+9.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.70%	-15.94%	+0.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-1.46%	+1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-2.07%	+1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	1.03%	-0.55%

Volatility

PYARX vs. PYGFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Payden Absolute Return Bond Fund (PYARX) is 0.40%, while Payden Global Fixed Income Fund (PYGFX) has a volatility of 1.28%. This indicates that PYARX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PYGFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PYARX	PYGFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	1.28%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.38%	2.52%	-1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82%	3.08%	-1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.35%	4.33%	-1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.84%	3.66%	-0.82%

PYARX vs. PYGFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PYARX and PYGFX have an expense ratio of 0.70%.

Dividends

PYARX vs. PYGFX - Dividend Comparison

PYARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.24%, more than PYGFX's 4.07% 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%
PYGFX Payden Global Fixed Income Fund	4.07%	3.88%	3.69%	2.71%	8.25%	3.18%	2.69%	3.07%	5.39%	1.91%	1.48%	3.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PYARX and PYGFX in my portfolio?

PYARX and PYGFX have a correlation of 0.67, 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 PYGFX?

PYGFX has higher volatility (1.28%) compared to PYARX (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYARX dropped -15.70% vs PYGFX's -15.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PYARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.34), 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.