PAB vs. VCRB

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF (PAB) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB).

PAB and VCRB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. PAB is an actively managed fund by PGIM. It was launched on Apr 12, 2021. VCRB is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 14, 2023.

Performance

PAB vs. VCRB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF (PAB) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

PAB vs. VCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PAB PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF	0.02%	7.55%	1.89%	0.46%
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	0.07%	7.56%	2.21%	0.65%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PAB achieves a 0.02% return, which is significantly lower than VCRB's 0.07% return.

PAB

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -1.64%
• YTD: 0.02%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 4.36%
• 3Y*: 4.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCRB

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: 0.07%
• 6M: 0.78%
• 1Y: 4.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PAB vs. VCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAB has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VCRB's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

PAB

PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF

VCRB

Vanguard Core Bond ETF

Return for Risk

PAB vs. VCRB — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAB

PAB Risk / Return Rank: 50
PAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
PAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
PAB Omega Ratio Rank: 42
PAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
PAB Martin Ratio Rank: 46

VCRB

VCRB Risk / Return Rank: 53
VCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

PAB vs. VCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF (PAB) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB). 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.

	PAB	VCRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.99	1.02	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.44	1.44	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.18	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	1.66	+0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.01	4.83	+0.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PAB vs. VCRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAB Sharpe Ratio is 0.99, which is comparable to the VCRB Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAB and VCRB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PAB	VCRB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99	1.02	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.03	0.95	-0.92

Correlation

The correlation between PAB and VCRB is 0.97, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

PAB vs. VCRB - Dividend Comparison

PAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.40%, less than VCRB's 4.59% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PAB PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF	4.40%	4.28%	4.25%	3.70%	2.81%	2.34%
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	4.59%	4.55%	4.22%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

PAB vs. VCRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAB drawdown since its inception was -19.27%, which is greater than VCRB's maximum drawdown of -4.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAB and VCRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAB	VCRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.27%	-4.59%	-14.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.81%	-2.77%	-0.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.85%	-1.79%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.05%	-1.14%	-6.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.95%	-0.01%

Volatility

PAB vs. VCRB - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF (PAB) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) have volatilities of 1.74% and 1.66%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAB	VCRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.74%	1.66%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.60%	2.49%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.41%	4.34%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.22%	4.82%	+1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.22%	4.82%	+1.40%