RAFE vs. PYLD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) and PYLD (PIMCO ETF Trust - PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - RAFE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the RAFI ESG US Index, while PYLD is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by PIMCO. RAFE is passively managed, while PYLD is actively managed. Over the past year, RAFE returned 33.02% vs 7.73% for PYLD. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RAFE charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PYLD.

Performance

RAFE vs. PYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) and PIMCO ETF Trust - PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RAFE achieves a 13.86% return, which is significantly higher than PYLD's 1.18% return.

RAFE

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 6.78%
• YTD: 13.86%
• 6M: 15.30%
• 1Y: 33.02%
• 3Y*: 19.71%
• 5Y*: 10.92%
• 10Y*: —

PYLD

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 7.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RAFE vs. PYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	13.86%	17.60%	13.81%	10.54%
PYLD PIMCO ETF Trust - PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund	1.18%	9.57%	7.69%	5.60%

Correlation

The correlation between RAFE and PYLD is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2023	0.32

RAFE vs. PYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RAFE	PYLD
Technology	29.8%	-
Healthcare	23.1%	-
Financial Services	13.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	-
Communication Services	7.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.5%	-
Industrials	5.0%	-
Basic Materials	4.2%	-
Real Estate	2.7%	-
Utilities	0.6%	-
Energy	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

RAFE vs. PYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 85
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 84
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 83

PYLD

PYLD Risk / Return Rank: 70
PYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
PYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
PYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

RAFE vs. PYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) and PIMCO ETF Trust - PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PYLD). 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.

	RAFE	PYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	2.53	+0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	3.74	+0.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.51	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.42	2.34	+2.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.30	10.71	+6.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RAFE vs. PYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RAFE Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is comparable to the PYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RAFE and PYLD, 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

	RAFE	PYLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.93	2.53	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	2.07	-1.42

Drawdowns

RAFE vs. PYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RAFE drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than PYLD's maximum drawdown of -4.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RAFE and PYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RAFE	PYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-4.52%	-31.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.46%	-3.25%	-4.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.21%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.22%	-0.65%	-5.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	0.71%	+1.20%

Volatility

RAFE vs. PYLD - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) has a higher volatility of 3.01% compared to PIMCO ETF Trust - PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PYLD) at 1.23%. This indicates that RAFE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RAFE	PYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.01%	1.23%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.27%	2.50%	+5.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.33%	3.07%	+8.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.08%	3.99%	+11.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	3.99%	+15.45%

RAFE vs. PYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

RAFE has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than PYLD's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

RAFE vs. PYLD - Dividend Comparison

RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, less than PYLD's 6.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PYLD PIMCO ETF Trust - PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund	6.28%	6.21%	6.40%	2.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.49%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RAFE and PYLD in my portfolio?

RAFE and PYLD have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RAFE or PYLD?

RAFE has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to PYLD (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RAFE dropped -35.74% vs PYLD's -4.52%.

Which ETF is better, RAFE or PYLD?

On 1-year performance, RAFE leads with 33.02% vs 7.73% for PYLD. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, PYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RAFE or PYLD?

Over the 1-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 33.02% return vs 7.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RAFE or PYLD?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PYLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RAFE or PYLD?

PYLD has the higher dividend yield at 6.28%, compared with 1.49% for RAFE.

What is the main difference between RAFE and PYLD?

RAFE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while PYLD is Multisector Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for RAFE and 0.55% for PYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.53), 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.