SCSPX vs. PCIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCSPX (Sterling Capital Quality Income Fund) and PCIFX (PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, SCSPX returned 1.91%/yr vs 2.07%/yr for PCIFX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCSPX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for PCIFX.

Performance

SCSPX vs. PCIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Capital Quality Income Fund (SCSPX) and PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments (PCIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCSPX achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than PCIFX's 0.65% return. Over the past 10 years, SCSPX has underperformed PCIFX with an annualized return of 1.91%, while PCIFX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.07% annualized return.

SCSPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.42%
• 1Y: 5.59%
• 3Y*: 4.42%
• 5Y*: 0.88%
• 10Y*: 1.91%

PCIFX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 6M: 0.54%
• 1Y: 5.77%
• 3Y*: 5.58%
• 5Y*: 1.03%
• 10Y*: 2.07%

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

SCSPX vs. PCIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCSPX Sterling Capital Quality Income Fund	0.42%	7.61%	2.38%	4.51%	-9.02%	-1.05%	4.58%	6.24%	1.49%	3.09%
PCIFX PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments	0.65%	7.03%	3.84%	7.82%	-13.38%	-1.83%	8.04%	8.66%	-0.86%	3.27%

Correlation

The correlation between SCSPX and PCIFX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2012	0.81

The correlation between SCSPX and PCIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCSPX vs. PCIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCSPX

SCSPX Risk / Return Rank: 28
SCSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
SCSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
SCSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
SCSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
SCSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

PCIFX

PCIFX Risk / Return Rank: 39
PCIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
PCIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
PCIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
PCIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
PCIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

SCSPX vs. PCIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Capital Quality Income Fund (SCSPX) and PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments (PCIFX). 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.

	SCSPX	PCIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.64	-0.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	2.52	-0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.31	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	2.75	-0.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.97	8.55	-2.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCSPX vs. PCIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCSPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the PCIFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCSPX and PCIFX, 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

	SCSPX	PCIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.64	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.18	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.44	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.86	-0.24

Drawdowns

SCSPX vs. PCIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCSPX drawdown since its inception was -13.41%, smaller than the maximum PCIFX drawdown of -18.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCSPX and PCIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCSPX	PCIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.41%	-18.54%	+5.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.91%	-2.30%	-0.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.08%	-5.34%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.41%	-18.16%	+4.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.41%	-18.54%	+5.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-0.85%	-0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.16%	-1.90%	-0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.73%	+0.21%

Volatility

SCSPX vs. PCIFX - Volatility Comparison

Sterling Capital Quality Income Fund (SCSPX) and PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments (PCIFX) have volatilities of 1.32% and 1.33%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCSPX	PCIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	1.33%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.64%	2.61%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.64%	3.87%	-0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.96%	5.79%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.94%	4.70%	-0.76%

SCSPX vs. PCIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCSPX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than PCIFX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCSPX vs. PCIFX - Dividend Comparison

SCSPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%, less than PCIFX's 5.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCIFX PACE Intermediate Fixed Income Investments	5.48%	5.04%	6.03%	5.50%	2.79%	2.93%	4.46%	2.61%	2.70%	1.99%	1.86%	2.20%
SCSPX Sterling Capital Quality Income Fund	3.91%	3.85%	3.60%	2.57%	2.37%	2.05%	2.50%	2.99%	3.19%	2.74%	2.66%	2.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCSPX and PCIFX in my portfolio?

SCSPX and PCIFX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCSPX or PCIFX?

PCIFX has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to SCSPX (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCSPX dropped -13.41% vs PCIFX's -18.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.55), 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.