PAAA vs. BOXX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

PAAA (PGIM AAA CLO ETF) and BOXX (Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PAAA is a CLO fund actively managed by PGIM, while BOXX is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index. PAAA is actively managed, while BOXX is passively managed. Over the past year, PAAA returned 5.16% vs 4.04% for BOXX. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.19% expense ratio.

Performance

PAAA vs. BOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PAAA achieves a 2.10% return, which is significantly higher than BOXX's 1.60% return.

PAAA

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 2.10%
• 6M: 2.50%
• 1Y: 5.16%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BOXX

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 1.94%
• 1Y: 4.04%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PAAA vs. BOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF	2.10%	5.37%	7.47%	3.83%
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	1.60%	4.37%	5.16%	2.40%

Correlation

The correlation between PAAA and BOXX is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2023	0.06

Return for Risk

PAAA vs. BOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

BOXX

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

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.

PAAA vs. BOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). 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.

	PAAA	BOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	10.91	12.68	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	21.41	37.40	-15.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	6.56	9.69	-3.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	29.79	58.95	-29.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	184.52	524.63	-340.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PAAA vs. BOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAAA Sharpe Ratio is 10.91, which is comparable to the BOXX Sharpe Ratio of 12.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAAA and BOXX, 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

	PAAA	BOXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.91	12.68	-1.77
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	6.79	12.89	-6.10

Drawdowns

PAAA vs. BOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAAA drawdown since its inception was -1.04%, which is greater than BOXX's maximum drawdown of -0.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAAA and BOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAAA	BOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.04%	-0.12%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.17%	-0.07%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.01%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.02%	-0.00%	-0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	0.01%	+0.02%

Volatility

PAAA vs. BOXX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA) has a higher volatility of 0.12% compared to Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) at 0.09%. This indicates that PAAA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BOXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAAA	BOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.12%	0.09%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.36%	0.25%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48%	0.32%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.97%	0.37%	+0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.97%	0.37%	+0.60%

PAAA vs. BOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PAAA and BOXX have an expense ratio of 0.19%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PAAA vs. BOXX - Dividend Comparison

PAAA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.88%, while BOXX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%	0.00%
PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF	4.88%	5.12%	5.88%	2.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAAA and BOXX in my portfolio?

PAAA and BOXX have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAAA or BOXX?

PAAA has higher volatility (0.12%) compared to BOXX (0.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAAA dropped -1.04% vs BOXX's -0.12%.

Which ETF is better, PAAA or BOXX?

On 1-year performance, PAAA leads with 5.16% vs 4.04% for BOXX. Both ETFs have the same 0.19% expense ratio. 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, PAAA or BOXX?

Over the 1-year period, PAAA has performed better with a 5.16% return vs 4.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PAAA or BOXX?

PAAA and BOXX have the same expense ratio: 0.19% per year.

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

PAAA has the higher dividend yield at 4.88%, compared with 0.00% for BOXX.

What is the main difference between PAAA and BOXX?

PAAA is categorized as CLO, while BOXX is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Alpha Architect.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.68 vs 10.91), 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.