PFN vs VYM
PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PFN or VYM?
Diversified Sectoral Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PFN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.29% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $686M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.54% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 513 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -0.27% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.37% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.53% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.83% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,067 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 29, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
PFN vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.8 years both funds cover.
PFN vs VYM Performance
PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (PFN) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFN returned +2.37% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, PFN is down 0.27% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, PFN compounded at +12.53% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.83% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs -1.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PFN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 14.5% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -83.3% for PFN and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFN charges 1.29% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $129 vs $4 annually, a gap of $125 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFN currently yields 12.54% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 23 holdings in PFN and 603 in VYM, totalling 9.7% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 273 days apart, PFN as of Sep 30, 2025 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in PFN and 603 in VYM, against full books of 513 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFN and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PFN or VYM?
PFN has an expense ratio of 1.29% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $125 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFN or VYM?
Over the past year PFN returned +2.37% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PFN annualized -1.91% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFN or VYM?
PFN has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PFN -83.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both PFN and VYM?
PFN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFN or VYM?
PFN yields 12.54% while VYM yields 2.24%, so PFN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PFN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.