CLOA vs. PAAA

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CLOA (iShares AAA CLO Active ETF) and PAAA (PGIM AAA CLO ETF) are both CLO funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, CLOA returned 5.23% vs 5.13% for PAAA. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CLOA charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for PAAA.

Performance

CLOA vs. PAAA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) and PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with CLOA having a 2.27% return and PAAA slightly lower at 2.24%.

CLOA

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 2.27%
• 6M: 2.47%
• 1Y: 5.23%
• 3Y*: 6.62%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PAAA

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 2.24%
• 6M: 2.39%
• 1Y: 5.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CLOA vs. PAAA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CLOA iShares AAA CLO Active ETF	2.27%	5.44%	7.25%	3.67%
PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF	2.24%	5.37%	7.47%	3.83%

Correlation

The correlation between CLOA and PAAA is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2023	0.30

Return for Risk

CLOA vs. PAAA — Risk / Return Rank

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

CLOA

CLOA Risk / Return Rank: 99
CLOA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
CLOA Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
CLOA Omega Ratio Rank: 99
CLOA Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
CLOA Martin Ratio Rank: 99

PAAA

PAAA Risk / Return Rank: 99
PAAA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
PAAA Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PAAA Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PAAA Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PAAA Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

CLOA vs. PAAA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) and PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CLOA	PAAA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.58	11.01	-3.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	14.27	21.43	-7.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.43	6.78	-3.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	29.72	29.61	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	151.56	183.59	-32.03

CLOA vs. PAAA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CLOA Sharpe Ratio is 7.58, which is lower than the PAAA Sharpe Ratio of 11.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CLOA and PAAA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CLOA vs. PAAA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CLOA drawdown since its inception was -1.34%, which is greater than PAAA's maximum drawdown of -1.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CLOA and PAAA.

Drawdown Indicators

	CLOA	PAAA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.34%	-1.04%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.18%	-0.17%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.05%	-0.02%	-0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	0.03%	0.00%

Volatility

CLOA vs. PAAA - Volatility Comparison

iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) has a higher volatility of 0.15% compared to PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA) at 0.10%. This indicates that CLOA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PAAA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CLOA	PAAA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.15%	0.10%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.49%	0.35%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69%	0.47%	+0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.31%	0.97%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.31%	0.97%	+0.34%

CLOA vs. PAAA - Expense Ratio Comparison

CLOA has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than PAAA's 0.19% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

CLOA vs. PAAA - Dividend Comparison

CLOA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.95%, more than PAAA's 4.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CLOA iShares AAA CLO Active ETF	4.95%	5.35%	6.01%	5.88%
PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF	4.87%	5.12%	5.88%	2.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CLOA and PAAA in my portfolio?

CLOA and PAAA have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CLOA or PAAA?

CLOA has higher volatility (0.15%) compared to PAAA (0.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CLOA dropped -1.34% vs PAAA's -1.04%.

Which ETF is better, CLOA or PAAA?

On 1-year performance, CLOA leads with 5.23% vs 5.13% for PAAA. On fees, PAAA is cheaper at 0.19% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CLOA or PAAA?

Over the 1-year period, CLOA has performed better with a 5.23% return vs 5.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CLOA or PAAA?

PAAA is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for CLOA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CLOA or PAAA?

CLOA has the higher dividend yield at 4.95%, compared with 4.87% for PAAA.

What is the main difference between CLOA and PAAA?

They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for CLOA and 0.19% for PAAA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAAA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.01 vs 7.58), 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.