VLMIX vs. PLRIX
VLMIX (Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) and PLRIX (PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund) are both Long-Term Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, VLMIX returned 5.26%/yr vs -4.58%/yr for PLRIX. Their 0.06 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VLMIX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PLRIX.
Performance
VLMIX vs. PLRIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VLMIX achieves a -0.50% return, which is significantly higher than PLRIX's -2.75% return.
VLMIX
- 1D
- -1.27%
- 1M
- -2.57%
- 6M
- -1.76%
- YTD
- -0.50%
- 1Y
- -1.54%
- 3Y*
- 5.56%
- 5Y*
- 5.26%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 11.53%
PLRIX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -3.37%
- 6M
- -2.95%
- YTD
- -2.75%
- 1Y
- 0.37%
- 3Y*
- 2.25%
- 5Y*
- -4.58%
- 10Y*
- 0.89%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.69%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VLMIX vs. PLRIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VLMIX Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares | -0.50% | 1.01% | 7.83% | 22.39% | -9.40% | 20.12% | 20.25% | 35.69% | 4.91% | 7.31% |
PLRIX PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund | -2.75% | 8.78% | -2.18% | 7.24% | -28.32% | -1.53% | 17.77% | 18.62% | -3.83% | 3.20% |
Correlation
The correlation between VLMIX and PLRIX is 0.36, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 23, 2017 | 0.06 |
Over the past year, VLMIX and PLRIX have become more correlated (0.36) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VLMIX vs. PLRIX — Risk / Return Rank
VLMIX
PLRIX
VLMIX vs. PLRIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VLMIX) and PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund (PLRIX). 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.
| VLMIX | PLRIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.98 | 1.05 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.25 | 0.31 | -0.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.69 | 0.75 | -1.44 |
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Drawdowns
VLMIX vs. PLRIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VLMIX drawdown since its inception was -35.47%, smaller than the maximum PLRIX drawdown of -37.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLMIX and PLRIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VLMIX | PLRIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.47% | -37.41% | +1.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.77% | -6.99% | -4.78% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.59% | -11.52% | -6.07% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.85% | -36.81% | +14.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -37.41% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.70% | -22.89% | +15.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.84% | -8.53% | +3.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.30% | 2.94% | +1.36% |
Volatility
VLMIX vs. PLRIX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VLMIX) has a higher volatility of 3.86% compared to PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund (PLRIX) at 2.35%. This indicates that VLMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLRIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VLMIX | PLRIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.86% | 2.35% | +1.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.31% | 6.60% | +3.71% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.71% | 8.39% | +5.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.91% | 12.42% | +4.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.61% | 11.46% | +7.15% |
VLMIX vs. PLRIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VLMIX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than PLRIX's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
VLMIX vs. PLRIX - Dividend Comparison
VLMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, less than PLRIX's 4.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLRIX PIMCO Long Duration Total Return Fund | 4.57% | 4.57% | 3.75% | 3.19% | 3.32% | 6.55% | 13.35% | 11.38% | 5.19% | 6.51% | 9.97% | 8.51% |
VLMIX Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares | 2.15% | 2.14% | 1.21% | 0.22% | 7.46% | 8.18% | 8.10% | 1.63% | 5.11% | 1.61% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VLMIX and PLRIX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VLMIX has higher volatility (3.86%) compared to PLRIX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLMIX dropped -35.47% vs PLRIX's -37.41%.
PLRIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.26 vs -0.22), 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.
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