AGZ vs. PTRQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AGZ (iShares Agency Bond ETF) and PTRQX (PGIM Total Return Bond R6) are both funds - AGZ is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Agency Bond Index (USD), while PTRQX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM. Over the past 10 years, AGZ returned 1.83%/yr vs 2.58%/yr for PTRQX. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AGZ charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for PTRQX.

Performance

AGZ vs. PTRQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Agency Bond ETF (AGZ) and PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGZ achieves a 0.16% return, which is significantly lower than PTRQX's 0.68% return. Over the past 10 years, AGZ has underperformed PTRQX with an annualized return of 1.83%, while PTRQX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.58% annualized return.

AGZ

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -0.03%
• YTD: 0.16%
• 6M: 0.29%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: 4.10%
• 5Y*: 1.15%
• 10Y*: 1.83%

PTRQX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 6.26%
• 3Y*: 5.47%
• 5Y*: 1.02%
• 10Y*: 2.58%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AGZ vs. PTRQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AGZ iShares Agency Bond ETF	0.16%	6.05%	3.08%	5.18%	-7.77%	-1.05%	5.77%	5.51%	1.32%	2.01%
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	0.68%	7.81%	3.06%	7.80%	-14.30%	-1.37%	8.13%	10.85%	-0.73%	6.67%

Correlation

The correlation between AGZ and PTRQX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011	0.71

The correlation between AGZ and PTRQX shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (all time) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AGZ vs. PTRQX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AGZ

AGZ Risk / Return Rank: 50
AGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
AGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
AGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 44
AGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
AGZ Martin Ratio Rank: 56

PTRQX

PTRQX Risk / Return Rank: 28
PTRQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PTRQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
PTRQX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PTRQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
PTRQX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AGZ vs. PTRQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Agency Bond ETF (AGZ) and PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AGZ	PTRQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	1.48	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.23	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.27	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	2.04	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.76	6.20	+3.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AGZ vs. PTRQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is comparable to the PTRQX Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGZ and PTRQX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AGZ	PTRQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	1.48	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.17	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.49	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.75	-0.07

Drawdowns

AGZ vs. PTRQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGZ drawdown since its inception was -11.01%, smaller than the maximum PTRQX drawdown of -20.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGZ and PTRQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGZ	PTRQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.01%	-20.72%	+9.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-3.08%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.85%	-5.47%	+3.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.66%	-20.69%	+10.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.01%	-20.72%	+9.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-1.34%	+0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.61%	-3.29%	+1.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	1.01%	-0.60%

Volatility

AGZ vs. PTRQX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Agency Bond ETF (AGZ) is 0.76%, while PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX) has a volatility of 1.98%. This indicates that AGZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PTRQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGZ	PTRQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.76%	1.98%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.93%	3.22%	-1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.58%	4.27%	-1.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.54%	6.03%	-2.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.03%	5.25%	-2.22%

AGZ vs. PTRQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGZ has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than PTRQX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGZ vs. PTRQX - Dividend Comparison

AGZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.73%, less than PTRQX's 4.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AGZ iShares Agency Bond ETF	3.73%	3.75%	3.48%	3.14%	1.56%	0.96%	2.25%	2.32%	2.15%	1.58%	1.52%	1.30%
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	4.67%	4.63%	4.89%	4.70%	5.83%	2.82%	3.05%	6.95%	3.99%	2.93%	4.01%	3.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGZ and PTRQX in my portfolio?

AGZ and PTRQX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGZ or PTRQX?

PTRQX has higher volatility (1.98%) compared to AGZ (0.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGZ dropped -11.01% vs PTRQX's -20.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AGZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.48), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.