SHMDX vs. PYCEX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SHMDX (Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Mkts Debt) and PYCEX (Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, SHMDX returned 4.32%/yr vs 4.15%/yr for PYCEX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SHMDX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for PYCEX.

Performance

SHMDX vs. PYCEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Mkts Debt (SHMDX) and Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund (PYCEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHMDX achieves a 4.39% return, which is significantly higher than PYCEX's 2.22% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SHMDX having a 4.32% annualized return and PYCEX not far behind at 4.15%.

SHMDX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 1.84%
• YTD: 4.39%
• 6M: 4.65%
• 1Y: 15.28%
• 3Y*: 12.87%
• 5Y*: 3.45%
• 10Y*: 4.32%

PYCEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.85%
• YTD: 2.22%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 7.24%
• 3Y*: 7.79%
• 5Y*: 2.56%
• 10Y*: 4.15%

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

SHMDX vs. PYCEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SHMDX Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Mkts Debt	4.39%	15.13%	8.90%	14.81%	-19.74%	-2.52%	7.06%	15.20%	-7.86%	11.58%
PYCEX Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund	2.22%	7.96%	7.90%	7.37%	-11.02%	0.80%	8.17%	11.90%	-3.33%	9.13%

Correlation

The correlation between SHMDX and PYCEX is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014	0.70

The correlation between SHMDX and PYCEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SHMDX vs. PYCEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHMDX

SHMDX Risk / Return Rank: 92
SHMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SHMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SHMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SHMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SHMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

PYCEX

PYCEX Risk / Return Rank: 89
PYCEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PYCEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PYCEX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PYCEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PYCEX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

SHMDX vs. PYCEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Mkts Debt (SHMDX) and Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund (PYCEX). 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.

	SHMDX	PYCEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.31	3.70	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.47	5.96	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.97	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.58	3.17	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.82	13.81	+2.01

SHMDX vs. PYCEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHMDX Sharpe Ratio is 3.31, which is comparable to the PYCEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHMDX and PYCEX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SHMDX vs. PYCEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHMDX drawdown since its inception was -35.83%, which is greater than PYCEX's maximum drawdown of -20.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHMDX and PYCEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHMDX	PYCEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.83%	-20.12%	-15.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.33%	-2.37%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.23%	-3.15%	-3.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.98%	-20.12%	-11.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.98%	-20.12%	-11.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.23%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.93%	-2.99%	-2.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	0.54%	+0.44%

Volatility

SHMDX vs. PYCEX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Mkts Debt (SHMDX) has a higher volatility of 1.27% compared to Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund (PYCEX) at 0.57%. This indicates that SHMDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PYCEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SHMDX	PYCEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	0.57%	+0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.94%	1.62%	+2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.70%	2.04%	+2.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.95%	3.24%	+3.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.60%	3.58%	+4.02%

SHMDX vs. PYCEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHMDX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than PYCEX's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

SHMDX vs. PYCEX - Dividend Comparison

SHMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.20%, less than PYCEX's 6.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PYCEX Payden Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund	6.32%	6.50%	6.21%	5.59%	4.92%	5.23%	4.00%	4.81%	5.13%	4.84%	4.18%	4.51%
SHMDX Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Mkts Debt	6.20%	6.21%	6.73%	8.10%	10.70%	4.78%	5.24%	5.51%	6.80%	6.12%	6.72%	6.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHMDX and PYCEX in my portfolio?

SHMDX and PYCEX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHMDX or PYCEX?

SHMDX has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to PYCEX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHMDX dropped -35.83% vs PYCEX's -20.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PYCEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.70 vs 3.31), 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.