PYLD vs. VCSH
PYLD (PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PYLD is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by PIMCO, while VCSH is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. PYLD is actively managed, while VCSH is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PYLD returned 7.98%/yr vs 5.56%/yr for VCSH. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PYLD charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCSH.
Performance
PYLD vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PYLD achieves a 1.18% return, which is significantly higher than VCSH's 0.62% return.
PYLD
- 1D
- -0.30%
- 1M
- 0.70%
- YTD
- 1.18%
- 6M
- 1.40%
- 1Y
- 6.87%
- 3Y*
- 7.98%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VCSH
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 0.25%
- YTD
- 0.62%
- 6M
- 0.82%
- 1Y
- 4.15%
- 3Y*
- 5.56%
- 5Y*
- 2.36%
- 10Y*
- 2.64%
PYLD vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PYLD PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 1.18% | 9.57% | 7.69% | 5.46% |
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.62% | 6.77% | 4.91% | 4.25% |
Correlation
The correlation between PYLD and VCSH is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2023 | 0.83 |
The correlation between PYLD and VCSH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PYLD vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank
PYLD
VCSH
PYLD vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PYLD) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). 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.
| PYLD | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.42 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.13 | 2.98 | -0.85 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.63 | 12.06 | -2.44 |
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Drawdowns
PYLD vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PYLD drawdown since its inception was -4.52%, smaller than the maximum VCSH drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYLD and VCSH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PYLD | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.52% | -12.86% | +8.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.25% | -1.40% | -1.85% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.52% | -1.40% | -3.12% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -9.48% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -12.86% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.53% | -0.34% | -0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.64% | -0.96% | +0.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.72% | 0.35% | +0.37% |
Volatility
PYLD vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison
PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PYLD) has a higher volatility of 1.06% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) at 0.68%. This indicates that PYLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PYLD | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.06% | 0.68% | +0.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.62% | 1.48% | +1.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.08% | 1.92% | +1.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.99% | 2.89% | +1.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.99% | 3.35% | +0.64% |
PYLD vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison
PYLD has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSH's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
PYLD vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison
PYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.28%, more than VCSH's 4.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PYLD PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 6.28% | 6.21% | 6.40% | 2.72% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.45% | 4.35% | 3.96% | 3.09% | 2.01% | 1.81% | 2.27% | 2.87% | 2.65% | 2.26% | 2.10% | 2.08% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PYLD and VCSH have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PYLD has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to VCSH (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYLD dropped -4.52% vs VCSH's -12.86%.
On 3-year performance, PYLD leads with 7.98% vs 5.56% for VCSH. On fees, VCSH is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VCSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, PYLD has performed better with a 7.98% return vs 5.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCSH is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PYLD.
PYLD has the higher dividend yield at 6.28%, compared with 4.45% for VCSH.
PYLD is categorized as Multisector Bonds, while VCSH is Corporate Bonds. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for PYLD and 0.04% for VCSH.
PYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 2.17), 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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