PCRB vs. VCRB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - (PCRB) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB).

PCRB and VCRB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. PCRB is an actively managed fund by Putnam. It was launched on Jan 19, 2023. VCRB is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 14, 2023.

Performance

PCRB vs. VCRB - Performance Comparison

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

PCRB vs. VCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PCRB Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF -	0.33%	7.21%	1.91%	0.40%
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	0.01%	7.56%	2.21%	0.65%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCRB achieves a 0.33% return, which is significantly higher than VCRB's 0.01% return.

PCRB

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -1.54%
• YTD: 0.33%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: 4.65%
• 3Y*: 3.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCRB

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -1.84%
• YTD: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 4.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PCRB vs. VCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCRB has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VCRB's 0.10% expense ratio.

PCRB

Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF -

VCRB

Vanguard Core Bond ETF

Return for Risk

PCRB vs. VCRB — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCRB

PCRB Risk / Return Rank: 61
PCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
PCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 50
PCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
PCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 58

VCRB

VCRB Risk / Return Rank: 61
VCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

PCRB vs. VCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - (PCRB) 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.

	PCRB	VCRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	1.05	+0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	1.48	+0.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.19	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	1.76	+0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.79	5.15	+0.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PCRB vs. VCRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCRB Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the VCRB Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCRB 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

	PCRB	VCRB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09	1.05	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.95	-0.30

Correlation

The correlation between PCRB and VCRB is 0.94, 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

PCRB vs. VCRB - Dividend Comparison

PCRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.42%, more than VCRB's 4.54% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
PCRB Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF -	9.42%	4.30%	4.38%	3.65%
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	4.54%	4.55%	4.22%	0.16%

Drawdowns

PCRB vs. VCRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCRB drawdown since its inception was -7.20%, which is greater than VCRB's maximum drawdown of -4.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCRB and VCRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCRB	VCRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.20%	-4.59%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.42%	-2.77%	+0.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.54%	-1.84%	+0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.64%	-1.14%	-0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	0.95%	-0.09%

Volatility

PCRB vs. VCRB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam ESG Core Bond ETF - (PCRB) is 1.56%, while Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) has a volatility of 1.66%. This indicates that PCRB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCRB	VCRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.56%	1.66%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.49%	2.49%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.28%	4.35%	-0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.71%	4.82%	+0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.71%	4.82%	+0.89%