PFORX vs. VBTLX
PFORX (PIMCO International Bond Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged)) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PFORX is a Global Bonds fund managed by PIMCO, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, PFORX returned 2.86%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for VBTLX. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFORX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTLX.
Performance
PFORX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFORX achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's 0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, PFORX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 2.86%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.50% annualized return.
PFORX
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 1.38%
- YTD
- 0.43%
- 6M
- 0.87%
- 1Y
- 3.00%
- 3Y*
- 5.49%
- 5Y*
- 1.65%
- 10Y*
- 2.86%
VBTLX
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 0.66%
- YTD
- 0.11%
- 6M
- 0.45%
- 1Y
- 4.14%
- 3Y*
- 3.94%
- 5Y*
- 0.02%
- 10Y*
- 1.50%
PFORX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFORX PIMCO International Bond Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) | 0.43% | 4.33% | 5.70% | 9.52% | -10.33% | -1.67% | 6.17% | 7.64% | 2.64% | 3.52% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.11% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFORX and VBTLX is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001 | 0.49 |
The correlation between PFORX and VBTLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (all time) to 0.62 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PFORX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank
PFORX
VBTLX
PFORX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO International Bond Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) (PFORX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.
| PFORX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.20 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.78 | 1.51 | -0.73 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.32 | 4.28 | -1.97 |
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Drawdowns
PFORX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFORX drawdown since its inception was -13.87%, smaller than the maximum VBTLX drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFORX and VBTLX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFORX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.87% | -18.81% | +4.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.99% | -2.89% | -1.10% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.99% | -6.00% | +2.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.71% | -18.14% | +4.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.87% | -18.81% | +4.94% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.07% | -2.48% | +1.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.95% | -2.67% | +0.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.34% | 1.02% | +0.32% |
Volatility
PFORX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for PIMCO International Bond Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) (PFORX) is 1.07%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) has a volatility of 1.17%. This indicates that PFORX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFORX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.07% | 1.17% | -0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.39% | 2.88% | +0.51% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.84% | 3.92% | -0.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.63% | 6.01% | -2.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.16% | 4.99% | -1.83% |
PFORX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFORX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFORX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison
PFORX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, more than VBTLX's 3.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFORX PIMCO International Bond Fund (U.S. Dollar-Hedged) | 4.09% | 4.23% | 4.91% | 3.02% | 3.65% | 1.55% | 2.46% | 6.86% | 2.90% | 1.46% | 1.38% | 9.12% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.99% | 3.87% | 3.69% | 3.10% | 2.59% | 1.96% | 2.39% | 2.74% | 2.57% | 2.56% | 2.53% | 2.82% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFORX and VBTLX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBTLX has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to PFORX (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFORX dropped -13.87% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.
VBTLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.12 vs 0.82), 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.
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