PABFX vs. PTRQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PABFX (PGIM Balanced Fund) and PTRQX (PGIM Total Return Bond R6) are both mutual funds - PABFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by PGIM, while PTRQX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM. Over the past 10 years, PABFX returned 9.81%/yr vs 2.58%/yr for PTRQX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PABFX charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for PTRQX.

Performance

PABFX vs. PTRQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Balanced Fund (PABFX) and PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PABFX achieves a 7.94% return, which is significantly higher than PTRQX's 0.68% return. Over the past 10 years, PABFX has outperformed PTRQX with an annualized return of 9.81%, while PTRQX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.58% annualized return.

PABFX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 7.94%
• 6M: 8.68%
• 1Y: 21.57%
• 3Y*: 17.92%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

PTRQX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 6.26%
• 3Y*: 5.47%
• 5Y*: 1.02%
• 10Y*: 2.58%

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

PABFX vs. PTRQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PABFX PGIM Balanced Fund	7.94%	15.83%	19.80%	17.08%	-16.07%	14.68%	9.12%	21.77%	-5.16%	14.36%
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	0.68%	7.81%	3.06%	7.80%	-14.30%	-1.37%	8.13%	10.85%	-0.73%	6.67%

Correlation

The correlation between PABFX and PTRQX is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011	0.08

Over the past year, PABFX and PTRQX have become more correlated (0.41) than their long-term average of 0.08, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PABFX vs. PTRQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PABFX

PABFX Risk / Return Rank: 77
PABFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PABFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
PABFX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
PABFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
PABFX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

PTRQX

PTRQX Risk / Return Rank: 28
PTRQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PTRQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
PTRQX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PTRQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
PTRQX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

PABFX vs. PTRQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Balanced Fund (PABFX) and PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX). 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.

	PABFX	PTRQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	1.48	+1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	2.23	+1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.27	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	2.04	+1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.90	6.20	+8.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PABFX vs. PTRQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PABFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the PTRQX Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PABFX and PTRQX, 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

	PABFX	PTRQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	1.48	+1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.17	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.49	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.75	-0.06

Drawdowns

PABFX vs. PTRQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PABFX drawdown since its inception was -40.90%, which is greater than PTRQX's maximum drawdown of -20.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PABFX and PTRQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PABFX	PTRQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.90%	-20.72%	-20.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.74%	-3.08%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-5.47%	-7.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.24%	-20.69%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.46%	-20.72%	-5.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-1.34%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.78%	-3.29%	-1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	1.01%	+0.46%

Volatility

PABFX vs. PTRQX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Balanced Fund (PABFX) has a higher volatility of 2.69% compared to PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX) at 1.98%. This indicates that PABFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTRQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PABFX	PTRQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	1.98%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.78%	3.22%	+3.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.40%	4.27%	+4.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.96%	6.03%	+5.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.61%	5.25%	+6.36%

PABFX vs. PTRQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PABFX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than PTRQX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

PABFX vs. PTRQX - Dividend Comparison

PABFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.82%, more than PTRQX's 4.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PABFX PGIM Balanced Fund	8.82%	9.57%	13.25%	2.35%	2.09%	12.40%	1.66%	5.18%	7.55%	5.78%	4.79%	8.06%
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	4.67%	4.63%	4.89%	4.70%	5.83%	2.82%	3.05%	6.95%	3.99%	2.93%	4.01%	3.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PABFX and PTRQX in my portfolio?

PABFX and PTRQX have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PABFX or PTRQX?

PABFX has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to PTRQX (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PABFX dropped -40.90% vs PTRQX's -20.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PABFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.48), 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.