VEGBX vs. PCLIX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VEGBX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares) and PCLIX (PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - VEGBX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while PCLIX is a Commodities fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 5 years, VEGBX returned 4.48%/yr vs 13.74%/yr for PCLIX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VEGBX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for PCLIX.

Performance

VEGBX vs. PCLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX) and PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEGBX achieves a 3.44% return, which is significantly lower than PCLIX's 21.46% return.

VEGBX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 3.44%
• 6M: 3.52%
• 1Y: 12.11%
• 3Y*: 11.38%
• 5Y*: 4.48%
• 10Y*: —

PCLIX

• 1D: -1.95%
• 1M: -11.03%
• YTD: 21.46%
• 6M: 19.02%
• 1Y: 28.21%
• 3Y*: 13.45%
• 5Y*: 13.74%
• 10Y*: 11.02%

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

VEGBX vs. PCLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	3.44%	14.46%	7.60%	13.81%	-13.02%	-1.44%	15.18%	17.87%	-0.66%	11.65%
PCLIX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	21.46%	5.76%	8.53%	0.69%	23.32%	43.83%	-9.18%	19.37%	-12.02%	9.83%

Correlation

The correlation between VEGBX and PCLIX is -0.37, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.09

The correlation between VEGBX and PCLIX shifts across timeframes, from -0.37 (1 year) to 0.09 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VEGBX vs. PCLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEGBX

VEGBX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VEGBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VEGBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VEGBX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
VEGBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VEGBX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

PCLIX

PCLIX Risk / Return Rank: 37
PCLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
PCLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
PCLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PCLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PCLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

VEGBX vs. PCLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX) and PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLIX). 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.

	VEGBX	PCLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.84	1.49	+1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.55	2.03	+2.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.27	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.26	1.85	+1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.21	8.78	+5.43

VEGBX vs. PCLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEGBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.84, which is higher than the PCLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEGBX and PCLIX, 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

VEGBX vs. PCLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEGBX drawdown since its inception was -24.27%, smaller than the maximum PCLIX drawdown of -66.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEGBX and PCLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEGBX	PCLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.27%	-66.60%	+42.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.79%	-15.39%	+11.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.53%	-15.39%	+9.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.27%	-21.59%	-2.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-15.39%	+15.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-24.09%	+20.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	3.27%	-2.40%

Volatility

VEGBX vs. PCLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX) is 1.19%, while PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLIX) has a volatility of 4.82%. This indicates that VEGBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PCLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEGBX	PCLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	4.82%	-3.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.67%	17.38%	-13.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.39%	19.48%	-15.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.35%	19.45%	-13.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.35%	40.53%	-34.18%

VEGBX vs. PCLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEGBX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than PCLIX's 0.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEGBX vs. PCLIX - Dividend Comparison

VEGBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.12%, less than PCLIX's 11.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCLIX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	11.47%	2.45%	7.50%	5.06%	42.60%	73.41%	0.77%	2.46%	18.58%	12.63%	0.16%	2.22%
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	6.12%	6.34%	7.02%	7.20%	5.61%	5.14%	4.62%	6.42%	5.00%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEGBX and PCLIX in my portfolio?

VEGBX and PCLIX have a correlation of -0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEGBX or PCLIX?

PCLIX has higher volatility (4.82%) compared to VEGBX (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEGBX dropped -24.27% vs PCLIX's -66.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 1.49), 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.