PYTRX vs. BIMSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PYTRX (Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund) and BIMSX (Baird Intermediate Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PYTRX returned 2.44%/yr vs 1.95%/yr for BIMSX. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PYTRX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for BIMSX.

Performance

PYTRX vs. BIMSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund (PYTRX) and Baird Intermediate Bond Fund (BIMSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PYTRX achieves a -0.15% return, which is significantly lower than BIMSX's -0.01% return. Over the past 10 years, PYTRX has outperformed BIMSX with an annualized return of 2.44%, while BIMSX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.95% annualized return.

PYTRX

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: -0.15%
• 6M: -0.01%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 4.01%
• 5Y*: 0.98%
• 10Y*: 2.44%

BIMSX

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: -0.01%
• 6M: 0.26%
• 1Y: 3.53%
• 3Y*: 4.46%
• 5Y*: 1.03%
• 10Y*: 1.95%

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

PYTRX vs. BIMSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PYTRX Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund	-0.15%	6.98%	1.81%	4.35%	-2.17%	-4.78%	0.83%	8.90%	-0.01%	5.53%
BIMSX Baird Intermediate Bond Fund	-0.01%	6.76%	3.21%	5.53%	-8.88%	-1.68%	7.16%	6.83%	0.30%	2.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PYTRX and BIMSX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.21

Over the past year, PYTRX and BIMSX have become more correlated (0.90) than their long-term average of 0.21, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PYTRX vs. BIMSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PYTRX

PYTRX Risk / Return Rank: 21
PYTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PYTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
PYTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
PYTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
PYTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

BIMSX

BIMSX Risk / Return Rank: 30
BIMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
BIMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
BIMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BIMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
BIMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

PYTRX vs. BIMSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund (PYTRX) and Baird Intermediate Bond Fund (BIMSX). 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.

	PYTRX	BIMSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.55	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	2.35	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.29	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	2.10	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.78	6.48	-1.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PYTRX vs. BIMSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PYTRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the BIMSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PYTRX and BIMSX, 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

	PYTRX	BIMSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.55	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.27	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.60	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	1.09	-0.51

Drawdowns

PYTRX vs. BIMSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PYTRX drawdown since its inception was -12.75%, roughly equal to the maximum BIMSX drawdown of -13.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYTRX and BIMSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PYTRX	BIMSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.75%	-13.07%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-1.87%	-1.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.07%	-2.57%	-3.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.85%	-13.00%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.75%	-13.07%	+0.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.04%	-1.16%	-0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-1.59%	-0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.60%	+0.44%

Volatility

PYTRX vs. BIMSX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund (PYTRX) has a higher volatility of 1.23% compared to Baird Intermediate Bond Fund (BIMSX) at 0.85%. This indicates that PYTRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIMSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PYTRX	BIMSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	0.85%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.82%	1.79%	+1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.83%	2.54%	+1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.86%	3.88%	+0.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.01%	3.24%	+0.77%

PYTRX vs. BIMSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PYTRX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than BIMSX's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

PYTRX vs. BIMSX - Dividend Comparison

PYTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.02%, more than BIMSX's 3.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIMSX Baird Intermediate Bond Fund	3.60%	3.50%	3.44%	2.81%	1.81%	1.90%	3.08%	2.16%	2.14%	1.98%	1.89%	2.21%
PYTRX Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund	4.02%	4.02%	4.31%	4.43%	4.38%	3.67%	3.44%	4.02%	2.49%	4.76%	3.40%	4.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PYTRX and BIMSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, PYTRX and BIMSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PYTRX or BIMSX?

PYTRX has higher volatility (1.23%) compared to BIMSX (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYTRX dropped -12.75% vs BIMSX's -13.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 1.30), 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.