VWEAX vs. PFLEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VWEAX (Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares) and PFLEX (PIMCO Flexible Credit Income Fund) are both mutual funds - VWEAX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while PFLEX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 5 years, VWEAX returned 4.19%/yr vs 3.77%/yr for PFLEX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWEAX charges 0.13%/yr vs 2.10%/yr for PFLEX.

Performance

VWEAX vs. PFLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) and PIMCO Flexible Credit Income Fund (PFLEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWEAX achieves a 1.20% return, which is significantly higher than PFLEX's -0.90% return.

VWEAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 7.12%
• 3Y*: 8.28%
• 5Y*: 4.19%
• 10Y*: 5.26%

PFLEX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: -0.90%
• 6M: -1.13%
• 1Y: 2.88%
• 3Y*: 8.88%
• 5Y*: 3.77%
• 10Y*: —

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

VWEAX vs. PFLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	1.20%	9.49%	6.42%	11.79%	-8.95%	3.04%	5.41%	15.92%	-2.80%	5.20%
PFLEX PIMCO Flexible Credit Income Fund	-0.90%	7.28%	14.00%	10.05%	-14.68%	11.87%	4.29%	10.63%	2.86%	4.70%

Correlation

The correlation between VWEAX and PFLEX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2017	0.55

The correlation between VWEAX and PFLEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWEAX vs. PFLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWEAX

VWEAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VWEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VWEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VWEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VWEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

PFLEX

PFLEX Risk / Return Rank: 11
PFLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
PFLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
PFLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
PFLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
PFLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

VWEAX vs. PFLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) and PIMCO Flexible Credit Income Fund (PFLEX). 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.

	VWEAX	PFLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	0.91	+1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	1.54	+2.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.21	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	0.85	+1.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.47	2.24	+12.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWEAX vs. PFLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWEAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is higher than the PFLEX Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWEAX and PFLEX, 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

	VWEAX	PFLEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	0.91	+1.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.75	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.23	0.89	+0.35

Drawdowns

VWEAX vs. PFLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWEAX drawdown since its inception was -30.05%, which is greater than PFLEX's maximum drawdown of -24.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWEAX and PFLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWEAX	PFLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.05%	-24.60%	-5.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.52%	-4.28%	+1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.32%	-4.28%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.77%	-18.06%	+4.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.54%	+1.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-4.01%	+1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	1.57%	-1.08%

Volatility

VWEAX vs. PFLEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) is 0.98%, while PIMCO Flexible Credit Income Fund (PFLEX) has a volatility of 1.84%. This indicates that VWEAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWEAX	PFLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	1.84%	-0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.56%	2.96%	-0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25%	4.01%	-0.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.91%	5.28%	-0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.28%	5.89%	-0.61%

VWEAX vs. PFLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWEAX has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than PFLEX's 2.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWEAX vs. PFLEX - Dividend Comparison

VWEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.36%, more than PFLEX's 5.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFLEX PIMCO Flexible Credit Income Fund	5.95%	6.59%	9.41%	12.77%	14.50%	9.06%	8.51%	9.86%	10.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	6.36%	6.25%	6.20%	5.79%	5.21%	3.49%	4.71%	5.33%	6.07%	5.39%	5.51%	6.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWEAX and PFLEX in my portfolio?

VWEAX and PFLEX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWEAX or PFLEX?

PFLEX has higher volatility (1.84%) compared to VWEAX (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWEAX dropped -30.05% vs PFLEX's -24.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 0.91), 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.