PBSMX vs. PULS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PBSMX (PGIM Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund) and PULS (PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF) are both funds - PBSMX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by PGIM, while PULS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by PGIM. Over the past 5 years, PBSMX returned 1.75%/yr vs 4.18%/yr for PULS. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PBSMX charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PULS.

Performance

PBSMX vs. PULS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund (PBSMX) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBSMX achieves a 0.22% return, which is significantly lower than PULS's 1.96% return.

PBSMX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 0.22%
• 6M: 0.63%
• 1Y: 3.64%
• 3Y*: 4.96%
• 5Y*: 1.75%
• 10Y*: 2.20%

PULS

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 6M: 2.10%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 5.53%
• 5Y*: 4.18%
• 10Y*: —

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

PBSMX vs. PULS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PBSMX PGIM Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund	0.22%	6.41%	4.25%	5.98%	-7.06%	-0.71%	5.16%	6.47%	1.12%
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.96%	4.97%	6.12%	6.26%	1.52%	0.48%	1.47%	2.97%	1.71%

Correlation

The correlation between PBSMX and PULS is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2018	0.35

The correlation between PBSMX and PULS shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (all time) to 0.47 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PBSMX vs. PULS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBSMX

PBSMX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PBSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PBSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
PBSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
PBSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PBSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

PULS

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

PBSMX vs. PULS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund (PBSMX) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PBSMX	PULS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	10.75	-8.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	27.89	-24.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	6.78	-5.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	51.29	-48.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.06	293.54	-285.48

PBSMX vs. PULS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBSMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is lower than the PULS Sharpe Ratio of 10.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBSMX and PULS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PBSMX vs. PULS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBSMX drawdown since its inception was -10.70%, which is greater than PULS's maximum drawdown of -5.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBSMX and PULS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBSMX	PULS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.70%	-5.85%	-4.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.65%	-0.09%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.65%	-0.34%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.70%	-0.79%	-9.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-10.70%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	0.00%	-0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.88%	-0.09%	-0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	0.02%	+0.46%

Volatility

PBSMX vs. PULS - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund (PBSMX) has a higher volatility of 0.67% compared to PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) at 0.16%. This indicates that PBSMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PULS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBSMX	PULS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.67%	0.16%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.59%	0.32%	+1.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12%	0.43%	+1.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.90%	0.70%	+2.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.64%	1.33%	+1.31%

PBSMX vs. PULS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBSMX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than PULS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBSMX vs. PULS - Dividend Comparison

PBSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.88%, less than PULS's 4.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBSMX PGIM Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund	3.88%	3.74%	3.00%	2.65%	2.02%	1.79%	2.22%	2.57%	2.57%	2.40%	2.40%	2.56%
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.57%	4.78%	5.62%	5.48%	2.30%	1.19%	1.85%	2.69%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBSMX and PULS in my portfolio?

PBSMX and PULS have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBSMX or PULS?

PBSMX has higher volatility (0.67%) compared to PULS (0.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBSMX dropped -10.70% vs PULS's -5.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.75 vs 1.82), 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.