PDBAX vs. PTTRX
PDBAX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund) and PTTRX (PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PDBAX returned 2.43%/yr vs 2.33%/yr for PTTRX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDBAX charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for PTTRX.
Performance
PDBAX vs. PTTRX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PDBAX achieves a 0.53% return, which is significantly lower than PTTRX's 0.64% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PDBAX having a 2.43% annualized return and PTTRX not far behind at 2.33%.
PDBAX
- 1D
- 0.25%
- 1M
- 1.06%
- YTD
- 0.53%
- 6M
- 1.05%
- 1Y
- 5.33%
- 3Y*
- 4.50%
- 5Y*
- 0.07%
- 10Y*
- 2.43%
PTTRX
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- 1.23%
- YTD
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 1.15%
- 1Y
- 6.71%
- 3Y*
- 5.49%
- 5Y*
- 0.60%
- 10Y*
- 2.33%
PDBAX vs. PTTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PDBAX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund | 0.53% | 7.50% | 1.82% | 6.51% | -14.52% | -1.77% | 7.78% | 14.71% | -0.97% | 6.30% |
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class | 0.64% | 9.35% | 2.62% | 6.33% | -14.72% | -0.59% | 8.88% | 8.36% | -0.24% | 5.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between PDBAX and PTTRX is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 10, 1995 | 0.84 |
The correlation between PDBAX and PTTRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.84 (all time) to 0.96 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PDBAX vs. PTTRX — Risk / Return Rank
PDBAX
PTTRX
PDBAX vs. PTTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX) and PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX). 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.
| PDBAX | PTTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.27 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.74 | 1.83 | -0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.86 | 5.40 | -0.54 |
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Drawdowns
PDBAX vs. PTTRX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PDBAX drawdown since its inception was -21.24%, which is greater than PTTRX's maximum drawdown of -19.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDBAX and PTTRX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PDBAX | PTTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -21.24% | -19.28% | -1.96% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.07% | -3.69% | +0.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.99% | -6.18% | +0.19% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.01% | -19.28% | -1.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -21.24% | -19.28% | -1.96% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.59% | -1.49% | -0.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.47% | -2.19% | -0.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.10% | 1.25% | -0.15% |
Volatility
PDBAX vs. PTTRX - Volatility Comparison
PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX) has a higher volatility of 1.96% compared to PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) at 1.46%. This indicates that PDBAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTTRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PDBAX | PTTRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.96% | 1.46% | +0.50% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.39% | 3.62% | -0.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.35% | 4.60% | -0.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.05% | 6.28% | -0.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.36% | 5.24% | +0.12% |
PDBAX vs. PTTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PDBAX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than PTTRX's 0.53% expense ratio.
Dividends
PDBAX vs. PTTRX - Dividend Comparison
PDBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.31%, less than PTTRX's 4.54% 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% |
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class | 4.54% | 4.47% | 4.61% | 3.81% | 3.63% | 2.59% | 6.11% | 3.96% | 3.13% | 2.63% | 3.02% | 6.64% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, PDBAX and PTTRX 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.
PDBAX has higher volatility (1.96%) compared to PTTRX (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDBAX dropped -21.24% vs PTTRX's -19.28%.
PTTRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 1.23), 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.
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