PJDZX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PJDZX (PGIM Jennison Rising Dividend Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, PJDZX returned 14.25%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for VFFSX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PJDZX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

PJDZX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Rising Dividend Fund (PJDZX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PJDZX having a 11.45% return and VFFSX slightly higher at 11.71%.

PJDZX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 2.88%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 11.49%
• 1Y: 24.85%
• 3Y*: 27.22%
• 5Y*: 14.25%
• 10Y*: 14.69%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

PJDZX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PJDZX PGIM Jennison Rising Dividend Fund	11.45%	18.84%	40.98%	8.67%	-10.35%	24.62%	13.96%	32.01%	-7.14%	16.72%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.71%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PJDZX and VFFSX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.89

The correlation between PJDZX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PJDZX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PJDZX

PJDZX Risk / Return Rank: 72
PJDZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
PJDZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
PJDZX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PJDZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PJDZX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFFSX 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.

PJDZX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Rising Dividend Fund (PJDZX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	PJDZX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	2.52	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.42	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.46	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	3.36	+0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.95	15.70	+1.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PJDZX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PJDZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PJDZX and VFFSX, 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

	PJDZX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	2.52	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	0.85	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.86	-0.08

Drawdowns

PJDZX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PJDZX drawdown since its inception was -33.59%, roughly equal to the maximum VFFSX drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PJDZX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PJDZX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.59%	-33.82%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.54%	-8.90%	+2.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.11%	-18.75%	+2.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.57%	-24.51%	+6.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.59%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.00%	-4.50%	+0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.50%	1.90%	-0.40%

Volatility

PJDZX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Rising Dividend Fund (PJDZX) has a higher volatility of 3.08% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) at 2.83%. This indicates that PJDZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PJDZX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.08%	2.83%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.61%	8.98%	-0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.68%	11.86%	-1.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.47%	16.90%	-0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.31%	18.41%	-1.10%

PJDZX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PJDZX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

PJDZX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

PJDZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.77%, more than VFFSX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PJDZX PGIM Jennison Rising Dividend Fund	5.77%	6.44%	34.62%	1.21%	0.93%	8.48%	4.75%	4.32%	10.34%	1.83%	1.48%	1.31%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PJDZX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

PJDZX and VFFSX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PJDZX or VFFSX?

PJDZX has higher volatility (3.08%) compared to VFFSX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PJDZX dropped -33.59% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.38), 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.