PDBAX vs. PTRB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PDBAX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund) and PTRB (PGIM Total Return Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds from PGIM. Over the past 3 years, PDBAX returned 4.51%/yr vs 5.18%/yr for PTRB. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDBAX charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for PTRB.

Performance

PDBAX vs. PTRB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDBAX achieves a 0.45% return, which is significantly lower than PTRB's 0.53% return.

PDBAX

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: 0.56%
• 1Y: 5.87%
• 3Y*: 4.51%
• 5Y*: 0.28%
• 10Y*: 2.46%

PTRB

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 0.01%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 0.60%
• 1Y: 5.89%
• 3Y*: 5.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PDBAX vs. PTRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PDBAX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund	0.45%	7.50%	1.82%	6.51%	-14.52%	0.16%
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	0.53%	7.63%	2.67%	7.71%	-14.82%	-0.15%

Correlation

The correlation between PDBAX and PTRB is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2021	0.91

The correlation between PDBAX and PTRB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDBAX vs. PTRB — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDBAX

PDBAX Risk / Return Rank: 21
PDBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
PDBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
PDBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
PDBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
PDBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

PTRB

PTRB Risk / Return Rank: 40
PTRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PTRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PTRB Omega Ratio Rank: 39
PTRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
PTRB Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

PDBAX vs. PTRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX) and PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB). 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.

	PDBAX	PTRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	1.48	-0.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	2.16	-0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.26	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	1.95	+0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.95	5.87	+0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDBAX vs. PTRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDBAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is comparable to the PTRB Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDBAX and PTRB, 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

	PDBAX	PTRB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	1.48	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	0.06	+1.03

Drawdowns

PDBAX vs. PTRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDBAX drawdown since its inception was -21.24%, which is greater than PTRB's maximum drawdown of -19.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDBAX and PTRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDBAX	PTRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.24%	-19.17%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.07%	-2.90%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.99%	-5.52%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.67%	-1.42%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-7.65%	+5.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.96%	+0.08%

Volatility

PDBAX vs. PTRB - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX) has a higher volatility of 2.09% compared to PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) at 1.43%. This indicates that PDBAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDBAX	PTRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.09%	1.43%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.32%	2.86%	+0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.41%	4.01%	+0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.04%	6.25%	-0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.36%	6.25%	-0.89%

PDBAX vs. PTRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDBAX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than PTRB's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDBAX vs. PTRB - Dividend Comparison

PDBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.31%, less than PTRB's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDBAX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund	4.31%	4.27%	3.76%	3.55%	5.49%	2.47%	2.68%	10.32%	3.74%	2.60%	3.65%	2.94%
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	4.73%	4.73%	5.10%	4.62%	4.07%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDBAX and PTRB in my portfolio?

PDBAX and PTRB have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDBAX or PTRB?

PDBAX has higher volatility (2.09%) compared to PTRB (1.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDBAX dropped -21.24% vs PTRB's -19.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTRB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.28), 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.