GBF vs. PCRB
GBF (iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF) and PCRB (Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF -) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. GBF is passively managed, while PCRB is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, GBF returned 3.64%/yr vs 4.12%/yr for PCRB. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GBF charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for PCRB.
Performance
GBF vs. PCRB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GBF achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly higher than PCRB's -0.26% return.
GBF
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- 0.35%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 4.02%
- 3Y*
- 3.64%
- 5Y*
- -0.19%
- 10Y*
- 1.51%
PCRB
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- -0.32%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 6M
- -0.21%
- 1Y
- 3.99%
- 3Y*
- 4.12%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GBF vs. PCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GBF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF | 0.35% | 6.41% | 0.99% | 2.49% |
PCRB Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - | -0.26% | 7.21% | 1.91% | 2.41% |
Correlation
The correlation between GBF and PCRB is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2023 | 0.95 |
The correlation between GBF and PCRB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GBF vs. PCRB — Risk / Return Rank
GBF
PCRB
GBF vs. PCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) and Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - (PCRB). 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.
| GBF | PCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.19 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.48 | 1.33 | +0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.37 | 4.28 | +0.09 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GBF | PCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.09 | 1.07 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.03 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.58 | 0.59 | -0.01 |
Drawdowns
GBF vs. PCRB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GBF drawdown since its inception was -19.67%, which is greater than PCRB's maximum drawdown of -7.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBF and PCRB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GBF | PCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.67% | -7.20% | -12.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.73% | -3.02% | +0.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.78% | -5.85% | +0.07% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.45% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.67% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.71% | -2.11% | -2.60% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.67% | -1.64% | -2.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.94% | -0.02% |
Volatility
GBF vs. PCRB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) is 1.21%, while Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - (PCRB) has a volatility of 1.31%. This indicates that GBF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GBF | PCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.21% | 1.31% | -0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.64% | 2.66% | -0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.75% | 3.77% | -0.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.93% | 5.62% | +0.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.28% | 5.62% | -0.34% |
GBF vs. PCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison
GBF has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than PCRB's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
GBF vs. PCRB - Dividend Comparison
GBF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, less than PCRB's 9.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF | 3.78% | 3.81% | 3.94% | 3.03% | 2.13% | 1.22% | 1.64% | 2.64% | 2.59% | 2.31% | 2.09% | 2.04% |
PCRB Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - | 9.79% | 4.30% | 4.38% | 3.65% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, GBF and PCRB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
PCRB has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to GBF (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBF dropped -19.67% vs PCRB's -7.20%.
On 3-year performance, PCRB leads with 4.12% vs 3.64% for GBF. On fees, GBF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, GBF has been the lower-risk option at 1.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, PCRB has performed better with a 4.12% return vs 3.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GBF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for PCRB.
PCRB has the higher dividend yield at 9.79%, compared with 3.78% for GBF.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and Putnam. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GBF and 0.35% for PCRB.
GBF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 1.07), 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.
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