WATFX vs. FRIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WATFX (Western Asset Core Bond Fund) and FRIAX (Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class) are both mutual funds - WATFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Franklin Templeton, while FRIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Franklin Templeton. Over the past 10 years, WATFX returned 1.54%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for FRIAX. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.46% expense ratio.

Performance

WATFX vs. FRIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset Core Bond Fund (WATFX) and Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WATFX achieves a 0.02% return, which is significantly lower than FRIAX's 5.29% return. Over the past 10 years, WATFX has underperformed FRIAX with an annualized return of 1.54%, while FRIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.64% annualized return.

WATFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 0.02%
• 6M: 0.02%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: 3.69%
• 5Y*: -0.89%
• 10Y*: 1.54%

FRIAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 5.29%
• 6M: 5.72%
• 1Y: 14.62%
• 3Y*: 10.37%
• 5Y*: 6.39%
• 10Y*: 7.64%

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

WATFX vs. FRIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WATFX Western Asset Core Bond Fund	0.02%	8.01%	0.44%	5.52%	-17.32%	-2.13%	9.12%	10.44%	-0.62%	5.21%
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.29%	12.02%	7.29%	8.84%	-5.36%	17.51%	3.72%	16.02%	-5.23%	8.63%

Correlation

The correlation between WATFX and FRIAX is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1997	0.10

Over the past year, WATFX and FRIAX have become more correlated (0.41) than their long-term average of 0.10, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

WATFX vs. FRIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WATFX

WATFX Risk / Return Rank: 23
WATFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
WATFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
WATFX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
WATFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
WATFX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

FRIAX

FRIAX Risk / Return Rank: 92
FRIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FRIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FRIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FRIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FRIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

WATFX vs. FRIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset Core Bond Fund (WATFX) and Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). 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.

	WATFX	FRIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	3.01	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	4.68	-2.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.68	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	4.95	-3.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.47	18.94	-13.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WATFX vs. FRIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WATFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the FRIAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WATFX and FRIAX, 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

	WATFX	FRIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	3.01	-1.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.13	0.81	-0.94
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.82	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.80	-0.24

Drawdowns

WATFX vs. FRIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WATFX drawdown since its inception was -23.69%, smaller than the maximum FRIAX drawdown of -43.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WATFX and FRIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WATFX	FRIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.69%	-43.23%	+19.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	-3.06%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.35%	-7.35%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.26%	-13.63%	-9.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.69%	-24.10%	+0.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.35%	-0.33%	-7.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.98%	-3.92%	+0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.02%	0.80%	+0.22%

Volatility

WATFX vs. FRIAX - Volatility Comparison

Western Asset Core Bond Fund (WATFX) has a higher volatility of 1.42% compared to Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX) at 1.19%. This indicates that WATFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WATFX	FRIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.42%	1.19%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.87%	3.80%	-0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.13%	5.04%	-0.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.83%	7.98%	-1.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.53%	9.30%	-3.77%

WATFX vs. FRIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both WATFX and FRIAX have an expense ratio of 0.46%.

Dividends

WATFX vs. FRIAX - Dividend Comparison

WATFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.93%, less than FRIAX's 5.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.71%	5.75%	5.74%	5.67%	5.24%	6.70%	5.37%	5.25%	5.80%	5.20%	4.92%	5.93%
WATFX Western Asset Core Bond Fund	3.93%	4.15%	4.48%	3.35%	2.39%	2.05%	3.90%	3.62%	2.92%	2.34%	2.51%	2.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WATFX and FRIAX in my portfolio?

WATFX and FRIAX have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WATFX or FRIAX?

WATFX has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to FRIAX (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WATFX dropped -23.69% vs FRIAX's -43.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 1.36), 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.