PHYL vs. BUL
PHYL (PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF) and BUL (Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PHYL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by PGIM, while BUL is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows Growth Index. PHYL is actively managed, while BUL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PHYL returned 3.85%/yr vs 10.18%/yr for BUL. Their 0.58 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PHYL charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for BUL.
Performance
PHYL vs. BUL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PHYL achieves a 1.43% return, which is significantly lower than BUL's 11.05% return.
PHYL
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -0.59%
- 6M
- 0.81%
- YTD
- 1.43%
- 1Y
- 4.95%
- 3Y*
- 8.48%
- 5Y*
- 3.85%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 5.34%
BUL
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- 1.73%
- 6M
- 9.52%
- YTD
- 11.05%
- 1Y
- 21.64%
- 3Y*
- 19.41%
- 5Y*
- 10.18%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 14.03%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $396.12K | $366.07K | $502.18K | |
| $11.83M | $9.14M | $6.26M |
PHYL vs. BUL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PHYL PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF | 1.43% | 9.65% | 8.45% | 11.91% | -11.80% | 6.20% | 6.31% | 6.81% |
BUL Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF | 11.05% | 19.18% | 27.39% | 3.68% | -16.18% | 32.48% | 27.26% | 4.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between PHYL and BUL is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.65 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2019 | 0.58 |
The correlation between PHYL and BUL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PHYL vs. BUL — Risk / Return Rank
PHYL
BUL
PHYL vs. BUL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) and Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF (BUL). 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.
| PHYL | BUL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.22 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.86 | 2.33 | -0.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.21 | 8.20 | +0.01 |
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Drawdowns
PHYL vs. BUL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PHYL drawdown since its inception was -22.07%, smaller than the maximum BUL drawdown of -37.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHYL and BUL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PHYL | BUL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.07% | -37.08% | +15.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.68% | -8.93% | +6.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.53% | -23.55% | +19.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.11% | -27.85% | +11.74% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.74% | -0.32% | -0.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.01% | -7.52% | +4.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.61% | 2.53% | -1.92% |
Volatility
PHYL vs. BUL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) is 0.87%, while Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF (BUL) has a volatility of 4.26%. This indicates that PHYL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PHYL | BUL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.87% | 4.26% | -3.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.82% | 12.94% | -10.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.38% | 17.00% | -13.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.70% | 21.90% | -16.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.59% | 24.11% | -16.52% |
PHYL vs. BUL - Expense Ratio Comparison
PHYL has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is lower than BUL's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
PHYL vs. BUL - Dividend Comparison
PHYL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.63%, more than BUL's 0.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUL Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF | 0.21% | 0.28% | 0.30% | 2.11% | 0.67% | 0.08% | 0.69% | 0.81% | 0.00% |
PHYL PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF | 7.01% | 7.05% | 8.28% | 7.62% | 6.55% | 6.13% | 7.51% | 7.31% | 1.79% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PHYL and BUL have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BUL has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to PHYL (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHYL dropped -22.07% vs BUL's -37.08%.
On 5-year performance, BUL leads with 10.18% vs 3.85% for PHYL. On fees, PHYL is cheaper at 0.53% per year. On volatility, PHYL has been the lower-risk option at 0.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, BUL has performed better with a 10.18% return vs 3.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PHYL is cheaper with a 0.53% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for BUL.
PHYL has the higher dividend yield at 7.01%, compared with 0.21% for BUL.
PHYL is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while BUL is Mid Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for PHYL and 0.60% for BUL.
PHYL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 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.
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