PDFEX vs. PDBZX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDFEX (Prudential Day One 2030 Fund) and PDBZX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z) are both mutual funds - PDFEX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by PGIM, while PDBZX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM. Over the past 5 years, PDFEX returned 8.14%/yr vs 0.93%/yr for PDBZX. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.49% expense ratio.

Performance

PDFEX vs. PDBZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Prudential Day One 2030 Fund (PDFEX) and PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDFEX achieves a 7.09% return, which is significantly higher than PDBZX's 0.72% return.

PDFEX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 7.09%
• 6M: 7.12%
• 1Y: 15.69%
• 3Y*: 15.47%
• 5Y*: 8.14%
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

PDFEX vs. PDBZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDFEX Prudential Day One 2030 Fund	7.09%	12.11%	19.96%	12.14%	-13.56%	14.36%	9.48%	19.27%	-6.04%	15.13%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between PDFEX and PDBZX is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.20

Over the past year, PDFEX and PDBZX have become more correlated (0.49) than their long-term average of 0.20, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PDFEX vs. PDBZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDFEX

PDFEX Risk / Return Rank: 70
PDFEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PDFEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
PDFEX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
PDFEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
PDFEX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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

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.

PDFEX vs. PDBZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Prudential Day One 2030 Fund (PDFEX) and PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX). 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.

	PDFEX	PDBZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	1.44	+1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	2.18	+1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.27	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	2.09	+0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	6.21	+7.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDFEX vs. PDBZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDFEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the PDBZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDFEX and PDBZX, 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

	PDFEX	PDBZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	1.44	+1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.15	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	1.09	-0.24

Drawdowns

PDFEX vs. PDBZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDFEX drawdown since its inception was -24.53%, which is greater than PDBZX's maximum drawdown of -20.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDFEX and PDBZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDFEX	PDBZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.53%	-20.88%	-3.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.27%	-3.00%	-2.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.95%	-5.51%	-2.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.63%	-20.81%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.88%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.29%	+1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.41%	-2.31%	-1.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.12%	1.01%	+0.11%

Volatility

PDFEX vs. PDBZX - Volatility Comparison

Prudential Day One 2030 Fund (PDFEX) and PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) have volatilities of 1.99% and 2.08%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDFEX	PDBZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.99%	2.08%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.26%	3.30%	+1.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.43%	4.35%	+2.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.27%	6.05%	+4.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.68%	5.37%	+5.31%

PDFEX vs. PDBZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PDFEX and PDBZX have an expense ratio of 0.49%.

Dividends

PDFEX vs. PDBZX - Dividend Comparison

PDFEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.63%, less than PDBZX's 4.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
PDFEX Prudential Day One 2030 Fund	3.63%	3.89%	22.09%	3.74%	8.84%	8.52%	1.89%	5.02%	4.15%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDFEX and PDBZX in my portfolio?

PDFEX and PDBZX have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDFEX or PDBZX?

PDBZX has higher volatility (2.08%) compared to PDFEX (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDFEX dropped -24.53% vs PDBZX's -20.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDFEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 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.