GBND vs. PIFI

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

GBND (Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF) and PIFI (ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past year, GBND returned 4.33% vs 2.91% for PIFI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GBND charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for PIFI.

Performance

GBND vs. PIFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF (GBND) and ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF (PIFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBND achieves a 0.13% return, which is significantly higher than PIFI's -0.05% return.

GBND

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.41%
• 6M: -0.10%
• YTD: 0.13%
• 1Y: 4.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PIFI

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.19%
• 6M: -0.08%
• YTD: -0.05%
• 1Y: 2.91%
• 3Y*: 4.04%
• 5Y*: 1.01%
• 10Y*: —

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

GBND vs. PIFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GBND Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF	0.13%	3.68%
PIFI ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF	-0.05%	2.77%

Correlation

The correlation between GBND and PIFI is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.90

The correlation between GBND and PIFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GBND vs. PIFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GBND

GBND Risk / Return Rank: 36
GBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
GBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
GBND Omega Ratio Rank: 36
GBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
GBND Martin Ratio Rank: 35

PIFI

PIFI Risk / Return Rank: 35
PIFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
PIFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
PIFI Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PIFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
PIFI Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

GBND vs. PIFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF (GBND) and ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF (PIFI). 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.

	GBND	PIFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	1.06	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	1.59	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.19	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	1.43	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	3.62	+0.48

GBND vs. PIFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBND Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the PIFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBND and PIFI, 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

GBND vs. PIFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBND drawdown since its inception was -2.76%, smaller than the maximum PIFI drawdown of -10.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBND and PIFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBND	PIFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.76%	-10.59%	+7.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-1.93%	-0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-2.75%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.60%	-1.37%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.69%	-3.19%	+2.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.76%	+0.21%

Volatility

GBND vs. PIFI - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF (GBND) has a higher volatility of 1.13% compared to ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF (PIFI) at 0.85%. This indicates that GBND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PIFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBND	PIFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	0.85%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.87%	1.98%	+0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.64%	2.60%	+1.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.64%	3.68%	-0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.64%	3.47%	+0.17%

GBND vs. PIFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GBND has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than PIFI's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

GBND vs. PIFI - Dividend Comparison

GBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.84%, less than PIFI's 4.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GBND Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF	3.84%	2.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PIFI ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF	4.48%	3.16%	2.92%	2.29%	1.22%	0.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBND and PIFI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, GBND and PIFI 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.

Which is riskier, GBND or PIFI?

GBND has higher volatility (1.13%) compared to PIFI (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBND dropped -2.76% vs PIFI's -10.59%.

Which ETF is better, GBND or PIFI?

On 1-year performance, GBND leads with 4.33% vs 2.91% for PIFI. On fees, GBND is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, PIFI has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GBND or PIFI?

Over the 1-year period, GBND has performed better with a 4.33% return vs 2.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GBND or PIFI?

GBND is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for PIFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GBND or PIFI?

PIFI has the higher dividend yield at 4.48%, compared with 3.84% for GBND.

What is the main difference between GBND and PIFI?

They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and ClearShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for GBND and 0.45% for PIFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GBND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 1.06), 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.