Best- and worst-performing fixed-income funds
See rankings of funds by returns in categories from core bond to high yield and multisector income.
CORE BOND
| Top 10 | Portfolio net assets ($M) | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return | Expense ratio* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miller Intermediate Bond Fund I (MIFIX) | $162.50 | 7.74% | N/A | N/A | 1.25% |
| River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund Institutional (RCTIX) | $27.50 | 6.25% | N/A | N/A | 0.71% |
| Putnam Income Fund A (PINCX) | $1,651.60 | 4.68% | 1.47% | 3.51% | 0.86% |
| Dodge & Cox Income Fund (DODIX) | $48,863.50 | 4.23% | 3.05% | 3.42% | 0.43% |
| Highland Fixed Income Fund A (HFBAX) | $136.90 | 4.20% | 2.84% | 2.40% | 1.05% |
| PF Managed Bond Fund P | $742.60 | 4.19% | 3.95% | 3.35% | 0.55% |
| Bramshill Income Performance Fund Inst (BRMSX) | $140.00 | 4.00% | N/A | N/A | 1.12% |
| Fidelity Total Bond Fund Fidelity Total Bond (FTBFX) | $27,683.10 | 3.97% | 3.39% | 3.24% | 0.45% |
| Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund I (AFLIX) | $110.90 | 3.88% | 2.46% | N/A | 1.00% |
| Federated Total Return Bond Fund Institutional (FTRBX) | $7,015.90 | 3.60% | 3.09% | 3.02% | 0.39% |
| Bottom 5 | |||||
| STAAR General Bond Fund (SITGX) | $1.40 | -0.32% | -0.07% | 0.24% | 1.59% |
| American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Qual Bd Fund Inst (GHQIX) | $137.90 | -0.23% | N/A | N/A | 0.45% |
| DoubleLine Long Duration Total Return Bond Fund I (DBLDX) | $61.70 | -0.16% | N/A | N/A | 0.65% |
| Cavanal Hill Bond Fund No-Load Inv (APBDX) | $138.50 | -0.11% | 1.73% | 2.26% | 0.68% |
| Monteagle Fixed Income Fund Inst (MFHRX) | $50.40 | -0.06% | 1.41% | 0.85% | 1.08% |
| Classification total/average | $715,795.50 | 1.83% | 2.36% | 2.35% | 0.76% |
| Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return | 1.23% | 2.73% | 2.31% |
GENERAL AND INSURED MUNICIPAL DEBT
| Top 10 | Portfolio net assets ($M) | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return | Expense ratio* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oppenheimer Rochester AMT-Free Municipal Fund A (OPTAX) | $2,036.10 | 7.37% | 7.41% | 6.57% | 0.98% |
| SEI Tax-Advantaged Income Fund F (SEATX) | $1,115.40 | 3.66% | 5.54% | 5.48% | 0.87% |
| BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series E (BATEX) | $146.40 | 2.89% | N/A | N/A | 0.03% |
| Clearwater Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (QWVQX) | $491.70 | 2.27% | 5.74% | 5.28% | 0.66% |
| JPMorgan Tax Aware Income Opportunities Fund I (JTASX) | $240.00 | 1.53% | 0.96% | 1.06% | 0.65% |
| Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond Fund I (STWTX) | $189.10 | 1.23% | 4.47% | 4.61% | 0.46% |
| Gurtin National Muni Opportunistic Value Fd Inst (GNMFX) | $114.60 | 1.18% | 3.50% | 3.78% | 0.60% |
| Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor (VWAHX) | $10,808.50 | 1.00% | 4.46% | 4.17% | 0.19% |
| JPMorgan Tax Aware High Income Fund A (JTIAX) | $95.60 | 0.99% | 2.84% | 2.72% | 0.65% |
| Wells Fargo Municipal Bond Fund Inst (WMBIX) | $2,597.40 | 0.94% | 3.89% | 4.23% | 0.46% |
| Bottom 5 | |||||
| Centre Active US Tax Exempt Fund Inv (DHBRX) | $31.90 | -1.61% | 1.47% | 1.19% | 0.95% |
| Saratoga Municipal Bond Portfolio I (SMBPX) | $1.00 | -1.14% | 0.40% | 0.28% | 2.92% |
| Victory Tax-Exempt Fund A (GUTEX) | $108.20 | -0.81% | 2.70% | 2.28% | 0.80% |
| Ivy Municipal Bond Fund C (WMBCX) | $191.90 | -0.81% | 1.85% | 1.62% | 1.73% |
| Putnam AMT-Free Municipal Fund B (PTFIX) | $400.90 | -0.74% | 2.64% | 2.34% | 1.41% |
| Classification total/average | $132,376.10 | 0.19% | 3.30% | 3.11% | 0.91% |
| Barclays Municipal Bond Total Return | 0.55% | 3.48% | 3.21% |
HIGH YIELD
| Top 10 | Portfolio net assets ($M) | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return | Expense ratio* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst/SMH High Income Fund A (HIIFX) | $56.00 | 24.91% | -4.23% | -1.68% | 1.45% |
| Nuveen High Income Bond Fund I (FJSYX) | $383.90 | 20.78% | 2.37% | 6.04% | 0.80% |
| Franklin High Income Fund A (FHAIX) | $4,093.30 | 18.38% | 2.12% | 5.40% | 0.78% |
| Loomis Sayles Inst High Income Fund Inst (LSHIX) | $755.70 | 17.24% | 3.55% | 8.00% | 0.68% |
| Nuveen Symphony Credit Opportunities Fund I (NCOIX) | $616.90 | 17.17% | 3.40% | 6.36% | 0.75% |
| Robinson Opportunistic Income Fd A (RBNAX) | $68.40 | 17.10% | N/A | N/A | 3.55% |
| T Rowe Price Institutional Credit Opportunities Fd (TRXPX) | $24.90 | 16.09% | N/A | N/A | 0.67% |
| SEI Inst Mgd High Yield Bond Fund F (SHYAX) | $1,583.40 | 15.54% | 4.39% | 6.49% | 0.99% |
| PENN Capital Opportunistic High Yield Fnd Inst (PHYNX) | $8.90 | 15.50% | N/A | N/A | 0.73% |
| Barings Global High Yield Fund Y (BXGYX) | $27.30 | 15.40% | N/A | N/A | 0.80% |
| Bottom 5 | |||||
| RiverPark Sht-Tm High Yield Fund Institutional (RPHIX) | $933.20 | 3.22% | 2.51% | 3.04% | 0.84% |
| Wells Fargo Short-Term Hi Yld Bd Fd A (SSTHX) | $1,466.10 | 3.33% | 2.37% | 2.99% | 0.82% |
| CMG Tactical Bond I (CHYOX) | $19.10 | 4.05% | N/A | N/A | 1.74% |
| Shenkman Short Duration High Income Fund Inst (SCFIX) | $411.40 | 4.54% | 2.52% | N/A | 0.66% |
| Muzinich Credit Opportunities Fund Supra Inst (MZCSX) | $271.60 | 4.73% | 3.66% | N/A | 0.60% |
| Classification total/average | $261,235.20 | 11.47% | 3.27% | 5.72% | 1.09% |
| Barclays U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Total Return | 13.66% | 4.65% | 6.91% |
INFLATION-PROTECTED
| Top 10 | Portfolio net assets ($M) | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return | Expense ratio* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco Strategic Real Return Fund A (SRRAX) | $23.70 | 5.88% | N/A | N/A | 0.82% |
| Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund I (LIFIX) | $1,152.50 | 5.86% | -0.84% | 0.23% | 0.55% |
| Columbia Diversified Real Return Fund Z (CDRZX) | $1.50 | 5.61% | 0.42% | N/A | 0.96% |
| Columbia Inflation Protected Securities Fund A (APSAX) | $162.40 | 5.27% | 0.58% | 0.30% | 0.80% |
| PIMCO Fixed Income SHares Series R (FXIRX) | $163.50 | 5.14% | 1.24% | 1.30% | 0.16% |
| PIMCO Real Return Asset Fund Institutional (PRAIX) | $273.70 | 4.77% | 2.29% | 0.93% | 0.73% |
| Eaton Vance Short Duration Real Return Fund I (EIRRX) | $140.40 | 4.66% | 1.27% | 1.26% | 0.62% |
| AB Bond Inflation Strategy 1 (ABNOX) | $450.40 | 4.04% | 1.84% | 1.17% | 0.82% |
| DFA LTIP Portfolio Institutional (DRXIX) | $91.90 | 4.02% | 2.60% | -0.21% | 0.15% |
| Transamerica Inflation Opportunities I2 | $166.40 | 4.01% | 0.65% | N/A | 0.66% |
| Bottom 5 | |||||
| SEI Inst Mgd Real Return Fund F (SRAAX) | $279.90 | 1.52% | 0.14% | -0.12% | 0.70% |
| Transamerica Partners Inflation-Protected Secs (DVIGX) | $115.70 | 1.61% | 0.47% | -0.07% | 1.00% |
| T Rowe Price Inflation Protected Bond Fund (PRIPX) | $490.40 | 1.61% | 1.17% | 0.29% | 0.50% |
| Invesco Short Duration Inflation Protected Fund R5 (ALMIX) | $793.80 | 1.63% | 1.10% | 0.64% | 0.30% |
| MFS Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund A (MIAAX) | $1,224.80 | 1.69% | 0.90% | -0.12% | 0.80% |
| Classification total/average | $100,145.90 | 2.81% | 0.88% | 0.20% | 0.78% |
| Barclays U.S. TIPS Total Return | 2.49% | 1.70% | 0.67% |
MULTISECTOR INCOME
| Top 10 | Portfolio net assets ($M) | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return | Expense ratio* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eaton Vance Multisector Income Fund I (EVBIX) | $539.60 | 18.67% | 2.41% | N/A | 0.72% |
| Credit Suisse Strategic Income Fund I (CSOIX) | $106.50 | 18.59% | 5.48% | N/A | 0.99% |
| Catalyst/Princeton Unconstrained Hedged Income I (HIFIX) | $2.20 | 13.44% | N/A | N/A | 1.58% |
| Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund A (LBNDX) | $10,160.90 | 12.06% | 4.98% | 6.68% | 0.82% |
| Cavalier Hedged High Income Fund Institutional (CHIIX) | $5.70 | 11.73% | 3.51% | N/A | 1.93% |
| Osterweis Strategic Income Fund (OSTIX) | $5,409.70 | 10.99% | 3.55% | 4.93% | 0.83% |
| Putnam Diversified Income Trust A (PDINX) | $3,376.70 | 10.79% | 1.02% | 4.08% | 1.00% |
| PIMCO Diversified Income Fund Institutional (PDIIX) | $2,793.80 | 10.75% | 5.16% | 5.39% | 0.76% |
| Russell Investments Global Opportunistic Credit S (RGCSX) | $1,824.20 | 10.16% | 3.71% | 4.82% | 0.90% |
| Virtus Multi-Sector Intermediate Bond Fund A (NAMFX) | $319.30 | 10.03% | 3.38% | 4.71% | 1.02% |
| Bottom 5 | |||||
| Horizon Active Income Fund Investor (AIMNX) | $190.00 | 0.12% | 0.36% | N/A | 1.47% |
| Free Market Fixed Income Fund (FMFIX) | $2,332.90 | 0.41% | 0.91% | 0.63% | 0.79% |
| Schwab Intermediate-Term Bond Fund (SWIIX) | $326.10 | 0.74% | 1.94% | 1.63% | 0.46% |
| BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series M (BRAMX) | $597.90 | 1.12% | 2.92% | 2.86% | 0.01% |
| AB Taxable Multi-Sector Income Shs (CSHTX) | $94.70 | 1.58% | 1.33% | 1.58% | 0.00% |
| Classification total/average | $213,980.70 | 6.67% | 2.93% | 3.99% | 1.09% |
| Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return | 1.23% | 2.73% | 2.31% |
LOAN PARTICIPATION
| Top 10 | Portfolio net assets ($M) | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return | Expense ratio* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Floating Rate Opportunities Fund Z (HFRZX) | $844.20 | 13.10% | 2.36% | 6.62% | 1.38% |
| Oppenheimer Senior Floating Rate Plus A (OSFAX) | $73.20 | 11.91% | 3.40% | N/A | 1.78% |
| Hartford Floating Rate High Income Fund I (HFHIX) | $478.90 | 11.52% | 3.23% | 4.84% | 0.82% |
| Catalyst/Princeton Floating Rate Income Fund I (CFRIX) | $36.50 | 11.33% | 1.76% | N/A | 1.17% |
| Oppenheimer Senior Floating Rate Fund A (OOSAX) | $14,841.50 | 10.93% | 3.74% | 4.56% | 1.11% |
| Palmer Square Income Plus Fund (PSYPX) | $357.00 | 10.45% | 2.92% | N/A | 0.85% |
| Barings Global Floating Rate Fund Y (BXFYX) | $182.90 | 10.31% | 3.89% | N/A | 0.75% |
| Natixis Loomis Sayles Senior Float Rt & Fxd Inc Y (LSFYX) | $2,731.50 | 10.13% | 3.99% | 5.27% | 0.82% |
| Victory Floating Rate Fund Y (RSFYX) | $870.30 | 9.06% | 2.90% | 4.03% | 0.78% |
| Invesco Floating Rate Fund A (AFRAX) | $2,731.00 | 8.98% | 3.13% | 4.34% | 1.11% |
| Bottom 5 | |||||
| First Investors Floating Rate Fund A (FRFDX) | $153.20 | 4.34% | 1.99% | N/A | 1.10% |
| Delaware Floating Rate Fund Inst (DDFLX) | $290.20 | 4.46% | 1.37% | 2.00% | 0.72% |
| Deutsche Floating Rate Fund A (DFRAX) | $586.40 | 4.52% | 0.42% | 2.22% | 1.02% |
| DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund I (DBFRX) | $425.70 | 4.67% | 3.01% | N/A | 0.66% |
| GuideStone Flexible Income Fund Inv (GFLZX) | $136.80 | 4.83% | 1.77% | N/A | 1.13% |
| Classification total/average | $118,426.50 | 7.45% | 2.90% | 3.86% | 1.12% |
| S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Total Return | 8.32% | 3.69% | 4.55% |
Assets and returns as of March 31. Distinct classes and funds with $100 million portfolio minimum only. Excludes leveraged and inverse funds. Funds closed to new investors have been omitted for the top-10 grouping. Rankings are based on unrounded figures. Three- and five-year returns are annualized. In case of multiple share classes, the oldest share class is listed. N/A = not available (fund has been in operation for less than the year indicated). *Net prospectus.
Source: Lipper
Learn more about reprints and licensing for this article.
