PYCRX vs. VCADX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PYCRX (Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund) and VCADX (Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PYCRX returned 2.77%/yr vs 2.35%/yr for VCADX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PYCRX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VCADX.

Performance

PYCRX vs. VCADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund (PYCRX) and Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PYCRX achieves a 1.28% return, which is significantly higher than VCADX's 1.16% return. Over the past 10 years, PYCRX has outperformed VCADX with an annualized return of 2.77%, while VCADX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.35% annualized return.

PYCRX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 1.28%
• 6M: 1.68%
• 1Y: 6.48%
• 3Y*: 4.66%
• 5Y*: 2.04%
• 10Y*: 2.77%

VCADX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 1.16%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 6.82%
• 3Y*: 4.48%
• 5Y*: 1.70%
• 10Y*: 2.35%

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

PYCRX vs. VCADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PYCRX Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund	1.28%	6.37%	2.57%	6.16%	-6.38%	0.76%	5.58%	8.21%	0.57%	6.04%
VCADX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.16%	5.90%	2.24%	5.91%	-6.61%	0.46%	4.62%	7.04%	1.28%	4.94%

Correlation

The correlation between PYCRX and VCADX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.82

The correlation between PYCRX and VCADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PYCRX vs. VCADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PYCRX

PYCRX Risk / Return Rank: 64
PYCRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PYCRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PYCRX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PYCRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PYCRX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VCADX

VCADX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VCADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VCADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VCADX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
VCADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VCADX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

PYCRX vs. VCADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund (PYCRX) and Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX). 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.

	PYCRX	VCADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	3.02	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.10	4.67	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.79	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.30	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.89	7.53	-0.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PYCRX vs. VCADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PYCRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the VCADX Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PYCRX and VCADX, 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

	PYCRX	VCADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	3.02	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.53	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.69	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	1.10	+0.11

Drawdowns

PYCRX vs. VCADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PYCRX drawdown since its inception was -10.80%, roughly equal to the maximum VCADX drawdown of -11.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYCRX and VCADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PYCRX	VCADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.80%	-11.13%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.95%	-2.98%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.06%	-4.23%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.80%	-11.13%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-10.80%	-11.13%	+0.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-0.99%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.42%	-1.50%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.91%	+0.03%

Volatility

PYCRX vs. VCADX - Volatility Comparison

Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund (PYCRX) has a higher volatility of 0.94% compared to Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX) at 0.87%. This indicates that PYCRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PYCRX	VCADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.94%	0.87%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.89%	1.80%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47%	2.28%	+0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.32%	3.25%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.25%	3.43%	-0.18%

PYCRX vs. VCADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PYCRX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VCADX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PYCRX vs. VCADX - Dividend Comparison

PYCRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, more than VCADX's 3.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PYCRX Payden California Municipal Social Impact Fund	3.41%	4.58%	4.06%	2.78%	1.82%	1.23%	3.72%	4.89%	2.43%	2.28%	3.47%	3.34%
VCADX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.14%	3.82%	3.35%	2.57%	2.36%	1.77%	2.28%	2.72%	2.71%	2.66%	2.76%	2.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PYCRX and VCADX in my portfolio?

PYCRX and VCADX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PYCRX or VCADX?

PYCRX has higher volatility (0.94%) compared to VCADX (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYCRX dropped -10.80% vs VCADX's -11.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 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.