PDI vs SIFI
PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund vs Harbor Ares Systematic Multi-Sector Income ETF
Which is better, PDI or SIFI?
Each has led over a different period.
SIFI has a lower expense ratio. PDI led over 3Y, SIFI over 1Y, 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 | PDI | SIFI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 5.12% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $7.2B | $23M |
| Dividend Yield | 17.60% | 8.29% |
| Holdings | 1,822 | 374 |
| YTD Return | -12.38% | -0.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | -17.65% | +1.03%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.49%Best | +7.09% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.05% | +2.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9% | 5.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.0% | -14.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,536 | $11,166Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Harbor Funds |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Diversified Sectoral Bond |
| Inception | May 25, 2012 | Sep 14, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 16, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.1 years).
PDI vs SIFI 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
PDI vs SIFI Performance
PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (PDI) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Harbor Ares Systematic Multi-Sector Income ETF (SIFI) is an ETF from Harbor Funds. Over the past year PDI returned -17.65% while SIFI returned +1.03%. Year to date, PDI is down 12.38% versus a loss of 0.24% for SIFI.
Over three years, PDI compounded at +9.49% per year against +7.09% for SIFI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.05% and +2.23% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 5.7% for SIFI. 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 -24.0% for PDI and -14.7% for SIFI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PDI charges 5.12% per year while SIFI charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $512 vs $50 annually, a gap of $462 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PDI currently yields 17.60% against 8.29% for SIFI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 25 holdings in PDI and 143 in SIFI, totalling 6.4% and 73.0% 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 351 days apart, PDI as of Sep 30, 2025 and SIFI as of Sep 16, 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 25 positions we hold weights for in PDI and 143 in SIFI, against full books of 1,822 and 374.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PDI and SIFI 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, PDI or SIFI?
PDI has an expense ratio of 5.12% while SIFI charges 0.50%. SIFI is the cheaper option, by $462 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PDI or SIFI?
Over the past year PDI returned -17.65% vs +1.03% for SIFI, so SIFI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PDI or SIFI?
PDI has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 5.7% for SIFI. Worst drawdown: PDI -24.0% vs SIFI -14.7%.
Should I hold both PDI and SIFI?
PDI and SIFI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, PDI or SIFI?
PDI yields 17.60% while SIFI yields 8.29%, so PDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SIFI better than PDI?
SIFI has a lower expense ratio. PDI led over 3Y, SIFI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.