PDBZX vs. MDVAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDBZX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z) and MDVAX (MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PDBZX returned 2.88%/yr vs 2.22%/yr for MDVAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDBZX charges 0.49%/yr vs 1.07%/yr for MDVAX.

Performance

PDBZX vs. MDVAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) and MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX). 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 lower than MDVAX's 2.59% return. Over the past 10 years, PDBZX has outperformed MDVAX with an annualized return of 2.88%, while MDVAX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.22% annualized return.

PDBZX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 0.68%
• 1Y: 6.24%
• 3Y*: 5.37%
• 5Y*: 0.93%
• 10Y*: 2.88%

MDVAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 2.59%
• 6M: 2.58%
• 1Y: 8.43%
• 3Y*: 5.96%
• 5Y*: 0.38%
• 10Y*: 2.22%

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

PDBZX vs. MDVAX - 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%
MDVAX MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund	2.59%	8.40%	2.47%	5.81%	-17.01%	1.95%	8.08%	10.12%	-1.55%	4.52%

Correlation

The correlation between PDBZX and MDVAX 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	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 1999	0.87

The correlation between PDBZX and MDVAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDBZX vs. MDVAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDBZX

PDBZX Risk / Return Rank: 27
PDBZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
PDBZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
PDBZX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PDBZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
PDBZX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

MDVAX

MDVAX Risk / Return Rank: 83
MDVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
MDVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
MDVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
MDVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
MDVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. MDVAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) and MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX). 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.

	PDBZX	MDVAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.58	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	4.27	-2.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.53	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	3.82	-1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.21	16.10	-9.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDBZX vs. MDVAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDBZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the MDVAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDBZX and MDVAX, 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

	PDBZX	MDVAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	2.58	-1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	0.06	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.42	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	0.71	+0.38

Drawdowns

PDBZX vs. MDVAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDBZX drawdown since its inception was -20.88%, smaller than the maximum MDVAX drawdown of -23.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDBZX and MDVAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDBZX	MDVAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.88%	-23.02%	+2.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.00%	-2.21%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.51%	-5.44%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.81%	-23.02%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.88%	-23.02%	+2.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	-3.38%	+2.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-3.47%	+1.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.01%	0.52%	+0.49%

Volatility

PDBZX vs. MDVAX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) has a higher volatility of 2.08% compared to MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund (MDVAX) at 0.95%. This indicates that PDBZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MDVAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDBZX	MDVAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.08%	0.95%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.30%	2.18%	+1.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.35%	3.29%	+1.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.05%	6.46%	-0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.37%	5.27%	+0.10%

PDBZX vs. MDVAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDBZX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than MDVAX's 1.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDBZX vs. MDVAX - Dividend Comparison

PDBZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than MDVAX's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MDVAX MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund	3.99%	3.91%	2.45%	4.87%	3.76%	4.06%	7.20%	2.90%	2.86%	2.64%	2.11%	0.53%
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 MDVAX in my portfolio?

PDBZX and MDVAX have a correlation of 0.90, 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 MDVAX?

PDBZX has higher volatility (2.08%) compared to MDVAX (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDBZX dropped -20.88% vs MDVAX's -23.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDVAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 1.44), 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.