PDBZX vs. FRIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PDBZX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z) and FRIAX (Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class) are both mutual funds - PDBZX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM, while FRIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Franklin Templeton. Over the past 10 years, PDBZX returned 2.79%/yr vs 7.66%/yr for FRIAX. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PDBZX charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FRIAX.

Performance

PDBZX vs. FRIAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDBZX achieves a 0.38% return, which is significantly lower than FRIAX's 4.46% return. Over the past 10 years, PDBZX has underperformed FRIAX with an annualized return of 2.79%, while FRIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.66% annualized return.

PDBZX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 0.38%
• 6M: 0.85%
• 1Y: 5.00%
• 3Y*: 5.19%
• 5Y*: 0.67%
• 10Y*: 2.79%

FRIAX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -0.73%
• YTD: 4.46%
• 6M: 4.46%
• 1Y: 12.75%
• 3Y*: 10.07%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 7.66%

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

PDBZX vs. FRIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDBZX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z	0.38%	7.70%	2.87%	7.70%	-14.33%	-1.46%	8.01%	14.76%	-0.72%	6.60%
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	4.46%	12.02%	7.29%	8.84%	-5.36%	17.51%	3.72%	16.02%	-5.23%	8.63%

Correlation

The correlation between PDBZX and FRIAX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 1996	0.06

Over the past year, PDBZX and FRIAX have become more correlated (0.44) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PDBZX vs. FRIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDBZX

PDBZX Risk / Return Rank: 23
PDBZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
PDBZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PDBZX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
PDBZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
PDBZX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

FRIAX

FRIAX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FRIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FRIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FRIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FRIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FRIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. FRIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) and Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). 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	FRIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	2.51	-1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	3.85	-1.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.55	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	4.18	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.96	15.79	-10.83

PDBZX vs. FRIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDBZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is lower than the FRIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDBZX and FRIAX, 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. FRIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDBZX drawdown since its inception was -20.88%, smaller than the maximum FRIAX drawdown of -43.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDBZX and FRIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDBZX	FRIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.88%	-43.23%	+22.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.00%	-3.06%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.51%	-7.35%	+1.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.81%	-13.63%	-7.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.88%	-24.10%	+3.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.62%	-1.18%	-0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-3.92%	+1.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	0.81%	+0.25%

Volatility

PDBZX vs. FRIAX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) has a higher volatility of 1.93% compared to Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX) at 1.39%. This indicates that PDBZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDBZX	FRIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.93%	1.39%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.36%	3.82%	-0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.31%	5.11%	-0.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.05%	7.94%	-1.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.38%	9.28%	-3.90%

PDBZX vs. FRIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDBZX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than FRIAX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDBZX vs. FRIAX - Dividend Comparison

PDBZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, less than FRIAX's 5.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.75%	5.75%	5.74%	5.67%	5.24%	6.70%	5.37%	5.25%	5.80%	5.20%	4.92%	5.93%
PDBZX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z	4.58%	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 FRIAX in my portfolio?

PDBZX and FRIAX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDBZX or FRIAX?

PDBZX has higher volatility (1.93%) compared to FRIAX (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDBZX dropped -20.88% vs FRIAX's -43.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 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.