FNGZX vs. PHYL

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

FNGZX (Franklin International Growth Fund) and PHYL (PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF) are both funds - FNGZX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Franklin Templeton, while PHYL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Prudential. Over the past 5 years, FNGZX returned -3.85%/yr vs 3.88%/yr for PHYL. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FNGZX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for PHYL.

Performance

FNGZX vs. PHYL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin International Growth Fund (FNGZX) and PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNGZX achieves a -0.17% return, which is significantly lower than PHYL's 1.56% return.

FNGZX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.58%
• 6M: -4.49%
• YTD: -0.17%
• 1Y: -3.22%
• 3Y*: 4.54%
• 5Y*: -3.85%
• 10Y*: 6.54%

PHYL

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -0.13%
• 6M: 1.10%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 1Y: 5.82%
• 3Y*: 8.56%
• 5Y*: 3.88%
• 10Y*: —

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

FNGZX vs. PHYL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FNGZX Franklin International Growth Fund	-0.17%	10.54%	0.66%	15.24%	-31.87%	0.45%	32.90%	37.18%	-20.05%
PHYL PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF	1.56%	9.65%	8.45%	11.91%	-11.80%	6.20%	6.31%	16.77%	-4.17%

Correlation

The correlation between FNGZX and PHYL is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2018	0.63

The correlation between FNGZX and PHYL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FNGZX vs. PHYL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNGZX

FNGZX Risk / Return Rank: 2
FNGZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
FNGZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
FNGZX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
FNGZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
FNGZX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

PHYL

PHYL Risk / Return Rank: 67
PHYL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
PHYL Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
PHYL Omega Ratio Rank: 73
PHYL Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
PHYL Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

FNGZX vs. PHYL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin International Growth Fund (FNGZX) and PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL). 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.

	FNGZX	PHYL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.25	1.75	-2.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.23	2.58	-2.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.34	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.26	2.18	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.71	9.93	-10.63

FNGZX vs. PHYL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNGZX Sharpe Ratio is -0.25, which is lower than the PHYL Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNGZX and PHYL, 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

FNGZX vs. PHYL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNGZX drawdown since its inception was -53.35%, which is greater than PHYL's maximum drawdown of -22.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNGZX and PHYL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNGZX	PHYL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.35%	-22.07%	-31.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.29%	-2.68%	-14.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.20%	-4.53%	-18.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.63%	-16.11%	-31.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.23%	-0.61%	-20.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.20%	-3.03%	-11.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.33%	0.59%	+5.74%

Volatility

FNGZX vs. PHYL - Volatility Comparison

Franklin International Growth Fund (FNGZX) has a higher volatility of 5.91% compared to PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) at 1.00%. This indicates that FNGZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PHYL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNGZX	PHYL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.91%	1.00%	+4.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.63%	2.76%	+11.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.91%	3.34%	+14.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.47%	5.70%	+15.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.08%	7.61%	+12.47%

FNGZX vs. PHYL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNGZX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than PHYL's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNGZX vs. PHYL - Dividend Comparison

FNGZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, less than PHYL's 6.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNGZX Franklin International Growth Fund	3.38%	3.37%	2.07%	0.00%	1.74%	1.11%	2.23%	0.30%	2.04%	1.31%	0.90%	0.36%
PHYL PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF	6.98%	7.05%	8.28%	7.62%	6.55%	6.13%	7.51%	7.31%	1.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNGZX and PHYL in my portfolio?

FNGZX and PHYL have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNGZX or PHYL?

FNGZX has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to PHYL (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNGZX dropped -53.35% vs PHYL's -22.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PHYL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.25), 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.