PDBZX vs. BND

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PDBZX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both funds - PDBZX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, PDBZX returned 2.84%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for BND. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDBZX charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.

Performance

PDBZX vs. BND - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDBZX achieves a 0.72% return, which is significantly higher than BND's 0.38% return. Over the past 10 years, PDBZX has outperformed BND with an annualized return of 2.84%, while BND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.55% annualized return.

PDBZX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.18%
• 1Y: 5.61%
• 3Y*: 5.34%
• 5Y*: 0.65%
• 10Y*: 2.84%

BND

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 0.38%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 3.92%
• 5Y*: 0.04%
• 10Y*: 1.55%

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

PDBZX vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDBZX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z	0.72%	7.70%	2.87%	7.70%	-14.33%	-1.46%	8.01%	14.76%	-0.72%	6.60%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	0.38%	7.08%	1.38%	5.65%	-13.11%	-1.86%	7.71%	8.84%	-0.12%	3.57%

Correlation

The correlation between PDBZX and BND is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007	0.83

The correlation between PDBZX and BND shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (all time) to 0.93 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PDBZX vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDBZX

PDBZX Risk / Return Rank: 26
PDBZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
PDBZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
PDBZX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PDBZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
PDBZX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

BND

BND Risk / Return Rank: 33
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

PDBZX vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.

	PDBZX	BND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.18	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	1.76	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.21	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	1.64	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.40	4.69	+0.71

PDBZX vs. BND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDBZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is comparable to the BND Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDBZX and BND, 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

PDBZX vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDBZX drawdown since its inception was -20.88%, which is greater than BND's maximum drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDBZX and BND.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDBZX	BND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.88%	-18.58%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.00%	-2.68%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.51%	-5.92%	+0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.81%	-17.91%	-2.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.88%	-18.58%	-2.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	-2.26%	+0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-3.06%	+0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	0.93%	+0.13%

Volatility

PDBZX vs. BND - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) has a higher volatility of 1.94% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) at 1.08%. This indicates that PDBZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDBZX	BND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.94%	1.08%	+0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.34%	2.77%	+0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.29%	3.74%	+0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.05%	6.03%	+0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.38%	5.54%	-0.16%

PDBZX vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDBZX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDBZX vs. BND - Dividend Comparison

PDBZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than BND's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	3.96%	3.86%	3.67%	3.09%	2.60%	2.12%	2.38%	2.72%	2.81%	2.54%	2.51%	2.57%
PDBZX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z	4.57%	4.54%	4.79%	4.60%	5.73%	2.73%	2.94%	10.36%	4.01%	2.87%	3.92%	3.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDBZX and BND in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, PDBZX and BND 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.

Which is riskier, PDBZX or BND?

PDBZX has higher volatility (1.94%) compared to BND (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDBZX dropped -20.88% vs BND's -18.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDBZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 1.18), 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.