PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) belongs to the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with PTRB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PTRB
PTRB charges 0.49% annually. There are 38 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 128.00M | Dec 2025 | PTRB vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 43.00B | Jun 2014 | PTRB vs IUSB | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 274.69M | Nov 2016 | PTRB vs IMTB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 709.92M | Jun 2020 | PTRB vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 447.20M | Apr 2014 | PTRB vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PTRB
PTRB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 26. There are 33 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 88 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | PTRB vs BNDS | |
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 85 | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | PTRB vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 60 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | PTRB vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 59 | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | PTRB vs MBS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 54 | — | Mar 2025 | PTRB vs CFIT |
Top Performing PTRB Alternatives (YTD)
PTRB is at -0.27% YTD. There are 32 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 4.43%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 4.43% | — | Mar 2025 | PTRB vs CFIT | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.31% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | PTRB vs BNDS | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 1.18% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | PTRB vs SJCP | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.03% | 185.58M | Aug 2022 | PTRB vs BNDI | |
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 0.93% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | PTRB vs ZHOG |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PTRB
PTRB has 3.87% 1-year volatility. There are 40 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.60% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | PTRB vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.47% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | PTRB vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.74% | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | PTRB vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.07% | 35.20M | Feb 2024 | PTRB vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.15% | 735.65M | Mar 2022 | PTRB vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PTRB
PTRB has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.90%. There are 36 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -1.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -1.31% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | PTRB vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | PTRB vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | PTRB vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 35.20M | Feb 2024 | PTRB vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | PTRB vs MBS |
Other ETFs from PGIM
The 10 most viewed PGIM ETFs shown here include PAAA, PULS, PFRL and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $18B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM AAA CLO ETF | CLO | 99 | 2.76% | 11.25B | Jul 2023 | PTRB vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.40% | 18.30B | Apr 2018 | PTRB vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 94 | 3.01% | 121.63M | May 2022 | PTRB vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF | High Yield Bonds | 65 | 1.74% | 1.39B | Sep 2018 | PTRB vs PHYL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 90 | 1.61% | — | Jul 2023 | PTRB vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 90 | 7.65% | 223.70M | Jun 2024 | PTRB vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 93 | 5.89% | 203.06M | Jun 2024 | PTRB vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 90 | 1.58% | 106.99M | Jun 2024 | PTRB vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 80 | 2.46% | 173.89M | Dec 2023 | PTRB vs PSH | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 99 | 4.00% | — | Mar 2025 | PTRB vs PMAP |
Often Compared With PTRB
Investors most often compare PTRB with EVTR, PDBAX, HWHIX. These 20 comparison targets span 14 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PTRB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PTRB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PTRB with funds that move differently
PGIM Total Return Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PTRB.
Explore PTRB Diversifiers