VGAVX vs. PELBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGAVX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and PELBX (PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - VGAVX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while PELBX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, VGAVX returned 3.70%/yr vs 4.59%/yr for PELBX. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGAVX charges 0.20%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for PELBX.

Performance

VGAVX vs. PELBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX) and PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund (PELBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VGAVX having a 1.65% return and PELBX slightly lower at 1.60%. Over the past 10 years, VGAVX has underperformed PELBX with an annualized return of 3.70%, while PELBX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.59% annualized return.

VGAVX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 1.95%
• 1Y: 11.27%
• 3Y*: 9.73%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 3.70%

PELBX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 1.87%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 2.99%
• 1Y: 13.12%
• 3Y*: 10.29%
• 5Y*: 4.48%
• 10Y*: 4.59%

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

VGAVX vs. PELBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGAVX Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.65%	12.98%	6.27%	10.44%	-16.68%	-1.74%	5.82%	14.01%	-2.77%	8.45%
PELBX PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund	1.60%	22.96%	-0.75%	15.11%	-7.36%	-8.13%	2.16%	17.23%	-7.49%	15.44%

Correlation

The correlation between VGAVX and PELBX is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.51

The correlation between VGAVX and PELBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VGAVX vs. PELBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGAVX

VGAVX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VGAVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VGAVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VGAVX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
VGAVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VGAVX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

PELBX

PELBX Risk / Return Rank: 36
PELBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
PELBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PELBX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
PELBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
PELBX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

VGAVX vs. PELBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX) and PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund (PELBX). 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.

	VGAVX	PELBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.82	1.83	+0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.44	2.72	+1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.38	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	1.78	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.71	6.16	+5.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGAVX vs. PELBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGAVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.82, which is higher than the PELBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGAVX and PELBX, 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

	VGAVX	PELBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.82	1.83	+0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.56	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.52	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.38	+0.30

Drawdowns

VGAVX vs. PELBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGAVX drawdown since its inception was -26.77%, smaller than the maximum PELBX drawdown of -36.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGAVX and PELBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGAVX	PELBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.77%	-36.17%	+9.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.97%	-7.33%	+3.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.11%	-8.49%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.77%	-23.01%	-3.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.77%	-24.89%	-1.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-2.04%	+1.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.68%	-11.23%	+6.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	2.11%	-1.12%

Volatility

VGAVX vs. PELBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX) is 1.53%, while PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund (PELBX) has a volatility of 2.41%. This indicates that VGAVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PELBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGAVX	PELBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.53%	2.41%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.32%	6.11%	-2.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12%	7.13%	-3.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.32%	8.05%	-1.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.37%	8.92%	-2.55%

VGAVX vs. PELBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGAVX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than PELBX's 1.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGAVX vs. PELBX - Dividend Comparison

VGAVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.79%, less than PELBX's 7.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PELBX PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund	7.05%	6.71%	7.08%	4.81%	3.24%	4.87%	4.87%	6.14%	6.88%	5.84%	5.69%	5.51%
VGAVX Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.79%	5.88%	6.56%	5.50%	5.29%	4.27%	4.20%	4.60%	4.54%	4.62%	4.73%	4.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGAVX and PELBX in my portfolio?

VGAVX and PELBX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGAVX or PELBX?

PELBX has higher volatility (2.41%) compared to VGAVX (1.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGAVX dropped -26.77% vs PELBX's -36.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGAVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 1.83), 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.