PYHRX vs. NHFIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PYHRX (Payden High Income Fund) and NHFIX (Northern High Yield Fixed Income Fund) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PYHRX returned 6.14%/yr vs 5.55%/yr for NHFIX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

PYHRX vs. NHFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Payden High Income Fund (PYHRX) and Northern High Yield Fixed Income Fund (NHFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PYHRX achieves a 2.28% return, which is significantly higher than NHFIX's 1.87% return. Over the past 10 years, PYHRX has outperformed NHFIX with an annualized return of 6.14%, while NHFIX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.55% annualized return.

PYHRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 2.28%
• 6M: 3.19%
• 1Y: 9.12%
• 3Y*: 9.60%
• 5Y*: 5.06%
• 10Y*: 6.14%

NHFIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 2.33%
• 1Y: 7.94%
• 3Y*: 9.25%
• 5Y*: 3.67%
• 10Y*: 5.55%

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

PYHRX vs. NHFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PYHRX Payden High Income Fund	2.28%	8.73%	8.13%	14.73%	-9.76%	6.62%	7.38%	16.75%	-2.85%	6.54%
NHFIX Northern High Yield Fixed Income Fund	1.87%	8.79%	8.03%	13.96%	-13.74%	5.03%	6.04%	16.17%	-3.60%	8.35%

Correlation

The correlation between PYHRX and NHFIX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1999	0.73

The correlation between PYHRX and NHFIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PYHRX vs. NHFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PYHRX

PYHRX Risk / Return Rank: 96
PYHRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PYHRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PYHRX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
PYHRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PYHRX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

NHFIX

NHFIX Risk / Return Rank: 82
NHFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
NHFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
NHFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
NHFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
NHFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

PYHRX vs. NHFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Payden High Income Fund (PYHRX) and Northern High Yield Fixed Income Fund (NHFIX). 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.

	PYHRX	NHFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.76	2.39	+1.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.91	4.09	+1.83
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.89	1.57	+0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.59	4.13	+0.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	24.81	17.17	+7.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PYHRX vs. NHFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PYHRX Sharpe Ratio is 3.76, which is higher than the NHFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PYHRX and NHFIX, 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

	PYHRX	NHFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.76	2.39	+1.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.73	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17	0.94	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	1.06	-0.80

Drawdowns

PYHRX vs. NHFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PYHRX drawdown since its inception was -50.79%, which is greater than NHFIX's maximum drawdown of -27.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYHRX and NHFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PYHRX	NHFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.79%	-27.87%	-22.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.02%	-2.10%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.79%	-4.39%	-46.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.79%	-17.47%	-33.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.79%	-24.72%	-26.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-2.78%	+0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	0.50%	-0.13%

Volatility

PYHRX vs. NHFIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Payden High Income Fund (PYHRX) is 0.76%, while Northern High Yield Fixed Income Fund (NHFIX) has a volatility of 1.21%. This indicates that PYHRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NHFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PYHRX	NHFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.76%	1.21%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.96%	2.60%	-0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46%	3.38%	-0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.06%	5.10%	+45.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.29%	5.95%	+30.34%

PYHRX vs. NHFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PYHRX and NHFIX have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

PYHRX vs. NHFIX - Dividend Comparison

PYHRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.43%, less than NHFIX's 7.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NHFIX Northern High Yield Fixed Income Fund	7.00%	6.87%	6.67%	6.57%	3.84%	4.92%	5.41%	6.35%	6.85%	6.66%	5.57%	6.19%
PYHRX Payden High Income Fund	6.43%	6.81%	7.20%	6.67%	6.05%	4.79%	4.99%	5.23%	5.88%	5.27%	5.24%	5.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PYHRX and NHFIX in my portfolio?

PYHRX and NHFIX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PYHRX or NHFIX?

NHFIX has higher volatility (1.21%) compared to PYHRX (0.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYHRX dropped -50.79% vs NHFIX's -27.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PYHRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 vs 2.39), 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.