PDGZX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDGZX (PIMCO RealPath Blend 2035 Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PDGZX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by PIMCO, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PDGZX returned 9.71%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDGZX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

PDGZX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RealPath Blend 2035 Fund (PDGZX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDGZX achieves a 9.17% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, PDGZX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 9.71%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.63% annualized return.

PDGZX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 3.74%
• YTD: 9.17%
• 6M: 9.60%
• 1Y: 22.00%
• 3Y*: 14.97%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 9.71%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

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

PDGZX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDGZX PIMCO RealPath Blend 2035 Fund	9.17%	16.92%	10.09%	16.52%	-17.06%	15.06%	13.72%	22.67%	-6.75%	18.13%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between PDGZX and VFIAX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.92

The correlation between PDGZX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDGZX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDGZX

PDGZX Risk / Return Rank: 75
PDGZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PDGZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
PDGZX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
PDGZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PDGZX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

PDGZX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RealPath Blend 2035 Fund (PDGZX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	PDGZX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.52	+0.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	3.42	+0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.46	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	3.35	-0.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.21	15.66	-1.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDGZX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDGZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDGZX and VFIAX, 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

	PDGZX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	2.52	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.85	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.87	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.47	+0.24

Drawdowns

PDGZX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDGZX drawdown since its inception was -27.25%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDGZX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDGZX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.25%	-55.20%	+27.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.00%	-8.90%	+1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.65%	-18.75%	+8.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.26%	-24.53%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.25%	-33.83%	+6.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.39%	-9.40%	+5.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.56%	1.90%	-0.34%

Volatility

PDGZX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO RealPath Blend 2035 Fund (PDGZX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) have volatilities of 2.79% and 2.82%, 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

	PDGZX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.79%	2.82%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.88%	8.98%	-2.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.55%	11.86%	-3.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.61%	16.90%	-5.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.19%	18.07%	-5.88%

PDGZX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDGZX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PDGZX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

PDGZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDGZX PIMCO RealPath Blend 2035 Fund	4.80%	5.09%	4.17%	2.73%	3.30%	4.92%	2.12%	3.71%	5.84%	2.17%	2.72%	2.40%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDGZX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PDGZX and VFIAX 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, PDGZX or VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to PDGZX (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDGZX dropped -27.25% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDGZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.52), 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.