PALDX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PALDX (PGIM 60/40 Allocation Fund) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 5 years, PALDX returned 9.57%/yr vs 8.62%/yr for VBAIX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PALDX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

PALDX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM 60/40 Allocation Fund (PALDX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PALDX achieves a 7.89% return, which is significantly higher than VBAIX's 7.40% return.

PALDX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 3.48%
• YTD: 7.89%
• 6M: 8.39%
• 1Y: 20.92%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 9.57%
• 10Y*: —

VBAIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 3.72%
• YTD: 7.40%
• 6M: 7.29%
• 1Y: 19.41%
• 3Y*: 16.11%
• 5Y*: 8.62%
• 10Y*: 10.15%

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

PALDX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PALDX PGIM 60/40 Allocation Fund	7.89%	13.62%	18.96%	18.90%	-15.65%	16.30%	10.68%	22.27%	-4.12%	5.95%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.40%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	4.68%

Correlation

The correlation between PALDX and VBAIX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2017	0.95

The correlation between PALDX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PALDX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PALDX

PALDX Risk / Return Rank: 83
PALDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PALDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PALDX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PALDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PALDX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

PALDX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM 60/40 Allocation Fund (PALDX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	PALDX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	2.53	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	3.60	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.47	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.62	3.42	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.16	15.63	+1.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PALDX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PALDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PALDX and VBAIX, 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

	PALDX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	2.53	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.78	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.91	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.66	+0.15

Drawdowns

PALDX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PALDX drawdown since its inception was -26.16%, smaller than the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PALDX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PALDX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.16%	-35.82%	+9.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.96%	-5.84%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.06%	-11.57%	-4.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.47%	-21.52%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.09%	-4.42%	+0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.25%	1.27%	-0.02%

Volatility

PALDX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM 60/40 Allocation Fund (PALDX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) have volatilities of 2.30% and 2.26%, 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

	PALDX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.30%	2.26%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	6.11%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.89%	7.90%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.11%	11.10%	+1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.69%	11.23%	+1.46%

PALDX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PALDX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VBAIX's 0.06% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PALDX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

PALDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.02%, less than VBAIX's 5.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PALDX PGIM 60/40 Allocation Fund	5.02%	5.42%	10.40%	2.94%	6.19%	6.87%	2.58%	4.58%	3.65%	1.48%	0.00%	0.00%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.22%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PALDX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, PALDX and VBAIX 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, PALDX or VBAIX?

PALDX has higher volatility (2.30%) compared to VBAIX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PALDX dropped -26.16% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PALDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.53), 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.