DYLD vs PDI
LeaderShares Dynamic Yield ETF vs PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund
Which is better, DYLD or PDI?
Each has led over a different period.
DYLD has a lower expense ratio. DYLD led over 1Y and the full window, PDI over 3Y and 5Y.
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 | DYLD | PDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75%Best | 5.12% |
| AUM | $35M | $7.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.24% | 17.60% |
| Holdings | 65 | 1,822 |
| YTD Return | +0.50%Best | -12.38% |
| 1Y Return | +0.96%Best | -17.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.67% | +9.49%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.75% | +1.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.8%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.0%Best | -27.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,381 | $10,536Best |
| Fund Family | LeaderShares | PIMCO (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Diversified Sectoral Bond |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2021 | May 25, 2012 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 29, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.3 years).
DYLD vs PDI 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
DYLD vs PDI Performance
LeaderShares Dynamic Yield ETF (DYLD) is an ETF from LeaderShares and PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (PDI) is an ETF from PIMCO (US). Over the past year DYLD returned +0.96% while PDI returned -17.65%. Year to date, DYLD is up 0.50% versus a loss of 12.38% for PDI.
Over three years, DYLD compounded at +4.67% per year against +9.49% for PDI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.75% and +1.05% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 4.8% for DYLD. 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 -15.0% for DYLD and -27.2% for PDI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DYLD charges 0.75% per year while PDI charges 5.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $512 annually, a gap of $437 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DYLD currently yields 4.24% against 17.60% for PDI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 31 holdings in DYLD and 25 in PDI, totalling 99.8% and 6.4% 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 366 days apart, DYLD as of Oct 1, 2026 and PDI as of Sep 30, 2025, 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 31 positions we hold weights for in DYLD and 25 in PDI, against full books of 65 and 1,822.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DYLD and PDI 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, DYLD or PDI?
DYLD has an expense ratio of 0.75% while PDI charges 5.12%. DYLD is the cheaper option, by $437 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DYLD or PDI?
Over the past year DYLD returned +0.96% vs -17.65% for PDI, so DYLD leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DYLD or PDI?
PDI has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 4.8% for DYLD. Worst drawdown: DYLD -15.0% vs PDI -27.2%.
Should I hold both DYLD and PDI?
DYLD and PDI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, DYLD or PDI?
DYLD yields 4.24% while PDI yields 17.60%, so PDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PDI better than DYLD?
DYLD has a lower expense ratio. DYLD led over 1Y and the full window, PDI over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.