PDBAX vs. VFIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDBAX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund) and VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) are both mutual funds - PDBAX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM, while VFIFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PDBAX returned 2.47%/yr vs 11.74%/yr for VFIFX. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. PDBAX charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFIFX.

Performance

PDBAX vs. VFIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDBAX achieves a 0.53% return, which is significantly lower than VFIFX's 12.06% return. Over the past 10 years, PDBAX has underperformed VFIFX with an annualized return of 2.47%, while VFIFX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.74% annualized return.

PDBAX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 0.48%
• 1Y: 5.96%
• 3Y*: 4.53%
• 5Y*: 0.34%
• 10Y*: 2.47%

VFIFX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 12.99%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

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

PDBAX vs. VFIFX - 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%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	12.06%	21.42%	14.45%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.42%	16.40%	24.99%	-7.89%	19.15%

Correlation

The correlation between PDBAX and VFIFX is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2006	-0.05

The correlation between PDBAX and VFIFX shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (all time) to 0.31 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PDBAX vs. VFIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDBAX

PDBAX Risk / Return Rank: 24
PDBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
PDBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
PDBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PDBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
PDBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

VFIFX

VFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VFIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	2.51	-1.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	3.47	-1.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.46	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	3.21	-1.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.73	14.25	-8.52
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. VFIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDBAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the VFIFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDBAX and VFIFX, 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	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	2.51	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.73	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.78	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	0.52	+0.58

Drawdowns

PDBAX vs. VFIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDBAX drawdown since its inception was -21.24%, smaller than the maximum VFIFX drawdown of -51.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDBAX and VFIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDBAX	VFIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.24%	-51.68%	+30.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.07%	-8.87%	+5.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.99%	-14.54%	+8.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-25.40%	+4.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.24%	-31.36%	+10.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	0.00%	-1.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-6.88%	+4.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	2.00%	-0.96%

Volatility

PDBAX vs. VFIFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX) is 2.09%, while Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) has a volatility of 3.35%. This indicates that PDBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDBAX	VFIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.09%	3.35%	-1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.31%	9.02%	-5.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.40%	11.36%	-6.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.04%	14.18%	-8.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.35%	15.11%	-9.76%

PDBAX vs. VFIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDBAX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIFX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDBAX vs. VFIFX - Dividend Comparison

PDBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.31%, more than VFIFX's 1.86% 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%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	1.86%	2.09%	2.26%	2.21%	2.38%	12.83%	1.84%	2.20%	2.51%	0.03%	2.04%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDBAX and VFIFX in my portfolio?

PDBAX and VFIFX have a correlation of 0.31, 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 VFIFX?

VFIFX has higher volatility (3.35%) compared to PDBAX (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDBAX dropped -21.24% vs VFIFX's -51.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.36), 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.