PAAA vs. PCLO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PAAA (PGIM AAA CLO ETF) and PCLO (Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF) are both CLO funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PAAA returned 5.26% vs 5.30% for PCLO. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PAAA charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for PCLO.

Performance

PAAA vs. PCLO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA) and Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO). 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 PAAA having a 2.03% return and PCLO slightly lower at 1.97%.

PAAA

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 5.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PCLO

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.97%
• 6M: 2.29%
• 1Y: 5.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PAAA vs. PCLO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF	2.03%	5.37%	0.44%
PCLO Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF	1.97%	5.39%	0.50%

Correlation

The correlation between PAAA and PCLO is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2024	0.18

Return for Risk

PAAA vs. PCLO — 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: 99
PAAA Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PAAA Omega Ratio Rank: 100
PAAA Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PAAA Martin Ratio Rank: 99

PCLO

PCLO Risk / Return Rank: 99
PCLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PCLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO 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.

PAAA vs. PCLO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA) and Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO). 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	PCLO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	10.83	5.94	+4.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	21.80	10.34	+11.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	6.72	2.76	+3.96
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	30.32	20.27	+10.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	187.65	123.68	+63.96
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. PCLO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAAA Sharpe Ratio is 10.83, which is higher than the PCLO Sharpe Ratio of 5.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAAA and PCLO, 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	PCLO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.83	5.94	+4.89
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	6.78	4.62	+2.16

Drawdowns

PAAA vs. PCLO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAAA drawdown since its inception was -1.04%, which is greater than PCLO's maximum drawdown of -0.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAAA and PCLO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAAA	PCLO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.04%	-0.76%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.17%	-0.26%	+0.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	0.00%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.02%	-0.03%	+0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	0.04%	-0.01%

Volatility

PAAA vs. PCLO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM AAA CLO ETF (PAAA) is 0.11%, while Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO) has a volatility of 0.25%. This indicates that PAAA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PCLO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAAA	PCLO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.11%	0.25%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.36%	0.70%	-0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49%	0.90%	-0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.98%	1.15%	-0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.98%	1.15%	-0.17%

PAAA vs. PCLO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAAA has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than PCLO's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAAA vs. PCLO - Dividend Comparison

PAAA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.88%, less than PCLO's 5.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
PAAA PGIM AAA CLO ETF	4.88%	5.12%	5.88%	2.76%
PCLO Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF	5.27%	5.53%	0.44%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAAA and PCLO in my portfolio?

PAAA and PCLO have a correlation of 0.13, 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 PCLO?

PCLO has higher volatility (0.25%) compared to PAAA (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAAA dropped -1.04% vs PCLO's -0.76%.

Which ETF is better, PAAA or PCLO?

On 1-year performance, PCLO leads with 5.30% vs 5.26% for PAAA. On fees, PAAA is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, PAAA has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PAAA or PCLO?

Over the 1-year period, PCLO has performed better with a 5.30% return vs 5.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PAAA or PCLO?

PAAA is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for PCLO.

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

PCLO has the higher dividend yield at 5.27%, compared with 4.88% for PAAA.

What is the main difference between PAAA and PCLO?

They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for PAAA and 0.29% for PCLO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAAA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.83 vs 5.94), 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.