PYGNX vs. DFFGX
PYGNX (Payden GNMA Fund) and DFFGX (DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PYGNX returned 0.80%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for DFFGX. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PYGNX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFFGX.
Performance
PYGNX vs. DFFGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PYGNX achieves a 1.13% return, which is significantly lower than DFFGX's 1.48% return. Over the past 10 years, PYGNX has underperformed DFFGX with an annualized return of 0.80%, while DFFGX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.19% annualized return.
PYGNX
- 1D
- 0.39%
- 1M
- 0.86%
- YTD
- 1.13%
- 6M
- 1.18%
- 1Y
- 5.35%
- 3Y*
- 3.82%
- 5Y*
- -0.17%
- 10Y*
- 0.80%
DFFGX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 1.48%
- 6M
- 1.58%
- 1Y
- 2.58%
- 3Y*
- 4.22%
- 5Y*
- 1.91%
- 10Y*
- 1.19%
PYGNX vs. DFFGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PYGNX Payden GNMA Fund | 1.13% | 7.54% | 0.84% | 3.93% | -12.54% | -2.26% | 4.27% | 5.67% | 0.37% | 1.33% |
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio | 1.48% | 3.12% | 5.29% | 5.01% | -4.41% | -1.27% | 0.39% | 2.52% | 1.17% | 0.51% |
Correlation
The correlation between PYGNX and DFFGX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 27, 1999 | 0.50 |
Over the past year, the correlation between PYGNX and DFFGX has dropped to 0.29 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
PYGNX vs. DFFGX — Risk / Return Rank
PYGNX
DFFGX
PYGNX vs. DFFGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Payden GNMA Fund (PYGNX) and DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| PYGNX | DFFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.79 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 2.28 | -1.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.62 | 2.63 | -1.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.96 | 9.70 | -4.74 |
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Drawdowns
PYGNX vs. DFFGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PYGNX drawdown since its inception was -19.64%, which is greater than DFFGX's maximum drawdown of -6.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYGNX and DFFGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PYGNX | DFFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.64% | -6.49% | -13.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.40% | -1.00% | -2.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.09% | -1.19% | -6.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.72% | -6.49% | -12.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.64% | -6.49% | -13.15% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.67% | -0.10% | -2.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.31% | -0.77% | -1.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.11% | 0.27% | +0.84% |
Volatility
PYGNX vs. DFFGX - Volatility Comparison
Payden GNMA Fund (PYGNX) has a higher volatility of 1.24% compared to DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX) at 0.43%. This indicates that PYGNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFFGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PYGNX | DFFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.24% | 0.43% | +0.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.31% | 0.63% | +2.68% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.31% | 1.26% | +3.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.44% | 1.84% | +4.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.89% | 1.55% | +3.34% |
PYGNX vs. DFFGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PYGNX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than DFFGX's 0.18% expense ratio.
Dividends
PYGNX vs. DFFGX - Dividend Comparison
PYGNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%, more than DFFGX's 2.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio | 2.84% | 2.98% | 4.87% | 3.57% | 1.85% | 0.15% | 0.29% | 1.83% | 1.53% | 1.18% | 0.99% | 1.27% |
PYGNX Payden GNMA Fund | 3.91% | 3.80% | 3.63% | 2.64% | 3.70% | 2.74% | 2.80% | 3.34% | 3.26% | 3.24% | 3.07% | 3.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PYGNX and DFFGX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PYGNX has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to DFFGX (0.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYGNX dropped -19.64% vs DFFGX's -6.49%.
DFFGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.28), 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.
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