PLDIX vs. VBIRX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PLDIX (PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PLDIX returned 1.84%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for VBIRX. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PLDIX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

PLDIX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund (PLDIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLDIX achieves a 0.22% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.14% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLDIX having a 1.84% annualized return and VBIRX not far ahead at 1.85%.

PLDIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.33%
• 6M: -0.18%
• YTD: 0.22%
• 1Y: 2.24%
• 3Y*: 4.57%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 1.84%
• ALL TIME*: 3.33%

VBIRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 1Y: 2.10%
• 3Y*: 4.40%
• 5Y*: 1.54%
• 10Y*: 1.85%
• ALL TIME*: 2.58%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PLDIX PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PLDIX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLDIX PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund	0.22%	5.30%	4.98%	4.81%	-5.98%	-0.63%	3.30%	4.25%	0.32%	1.69%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.14%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.86%	1.37%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between PLDIX and VBIRX is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.68

The correlation between PLDIX and VBIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (all time) to 0.84 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLDIX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PLDIX

PLDIX Risk / Return Rank: 56
PLDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
PLDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
PLDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
PLDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
PLDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 57
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PLDIX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund (PLDIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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.

	PLDIX	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	2.28	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	1.98	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.63	5.56	+1.07

PLDIX vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLDIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLDIX and VBIRX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PLDIX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLDIX drawdown since its inception was -9.77%, which is greater than VBIRX's maximum drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLDIX and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLDIX	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.77%	-8.69%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.51%	-1.54%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.51%	-1.55%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.31%	-8.55%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.34%	-8.69%	+0.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.79%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.84%	-0.98%	+0.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.45%	0.55%	-0.10%

Volatility

PLDIX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund (PLDIX) has a higher volatility of 0.59% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) at 0.46%. This indicates that PLDIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLDIX	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.59%	0.46%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.67%	1.68%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15%	2.24%	-0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.38%	2.98%	-0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.00%	2.40%	-0.40%

PLDIX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLDIX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLDIX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

PLDIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.34%, less than VBIRX's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLDIX PIMCO Low Duration ESG Fund	3.34%	3.62%	3.39%	2.97%	1.90%	0.82%	1.26%	2.46%	1.92%	1.04%	1.82%	1.93%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.69%	3.83%	3.37%	2.41%	1.46%	1.22%	1.77%	2.24%	2.03%	1.66%	1.50%	1.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLDIX and VBIRX in my portfolio?

PLDIX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLDIX or VBIRX?

PLDIX has higher volatility (0.59%) compared to VBIRX (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLDIX dropped -9.77% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 vs 1.37), 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.