QSTFX vs. PBAIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QSTFX (Quantified STF Fund) and PBAIX (BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund Institutional Class) are both Tactical Allocation funds. Over the past 10 years, QSTFX returned 17.96%/yr vs 6.14%/yr for PBAIX. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QSTFX charges 1.55%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for PBAIX.

Performance

QSTFX vs. PBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) and BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund Institutional Class (PBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QSTFX achieves a 18.84% return, which is significantly higher than PBAIX's 10.25% return. Over the past 10 years, QSTFX has outperformed PBAIX with an annualized return of 17.96%, while PBAIX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.14% annualized return.

QSTFX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 11.77%
• YTD: 18.84%
• 6M: 14.73%
• 1Y: 50.56%
• 3Y*: 21.56%
• 5Y*: 11.97%
• 10Y*: 17.96%

PBAIX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 10.25%
• 6M: 11.16%
• 1Y: 13.55%
• 3Y*: 10.35%
• 5Y*: 7.29%
• 10Y*: 6.14%

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

QSTFX vs. PBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QSTFX Quantified STF Fund	18.84%	-2.48%	29.94%	61.87%	-46.15%	28.79%	78.20%	16.43%	-6.86%	68.46%
PBAIX BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund Institutional Class	10.25%	6.46%	12.08%	2.64%	6.14%	0.50%	6.91%	1.65%	4.68%	8.05%

Correlation

The correlation between QSTFX and PBAIX is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2015	0.14

The correlation between QSTFX and PBAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (1 year) to 0.24 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QSTFX vs. PBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QSTFX

QSTFX Risk / Return Rank: 46
QSTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
QSTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
QSTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QSTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
QSTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

PBAIX

PBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
PBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
PBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
PBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
PBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

QSTFX vs. PBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) and BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund Institutional Class (PBAIX). 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.

	QSTFX	PBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	2.49	-0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	3.70	-1.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.49	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	4.86	-1.93
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.52	12.00	-4.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QSTFX vs. PBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QSTFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the PBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QSTFX and PBAIX, 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

	QSTFX	PBAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	2.49	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	1.14	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	1.01	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.58	-0.01

Drawdowns

QSTFX vs. PBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QSTFX drawdown since its inception was -49.03%, which is greater than PBAIX's maximum drawdown of -39.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QSTFX and PBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QSTFX	PBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.03%	-39.26%	-9.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.87%	-2.99%	-14.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.22%	-6.79%	-25.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.03%	-6.79%	-42.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.03%	-8.94%	-40.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.06%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.50%	-4.30%	-11.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.97%	1.21%	+5.76%

Volatility

QSTFX vs. PBAIX - Volatility Comparison

Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) has a higher volatility of 6.29% compared to BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund Institutional Class (PBAIX) at 1.69%. This indicates that QSTFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QSTFX	PBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.29%	1.69%	+4.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.89%	4.76%	+14.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.47%	5.75%	+19.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.12%	6.44%	+20.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.90%	6.13%	+21.77%

QSTFX vs. PBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

QSTFX has a 1.55% expense ratio, which is higher than PBAIX's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

QSTFX vs. PBAIX - Dividend Comparison

QSTFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.96%, while PBAIX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBAIX BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund Institutional Class	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	11.84%	3.52%	0.00%	2.71%	3.39%	10.17%	0.86%	1.74%	5.15%
QSTFX Quantified STF Fund	8.96%	10.65%	5.12%	1.03%	0.00%	21.93%	20.82%	0.52%	2.57%	39.11%	0.01%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QSTFX and PBAIX in my portfolio?

QSTFX and PBAIX have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QSTFX or PBAIX?

QSTFX has higher volatility (6.29%) compared to PBAIX (1.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QSTFX dropped -49.03% vs PBAIX's -39.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.10), 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.