PQCNX vs. AGG
PQCNX (PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund) and AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) are both funds - PQCNX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by PGIM, while AGG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Over the past 5 years, PQCNX returned -0.36%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for AGG. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PQCNX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for AGG.
Performance
PQCNX vs. AGG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PQCNX achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than AGG's 0.42% return.
PQCNX
- 1D
- -0.23%
- 1M
- 0.12%
- YTD
- 0.24%
- 6M
- 0.37%
- 1Y
- 4.67%
- 3Y*
- 3.86%
- 5Y*
- -0.36%
- 10Y*
- —
AGG
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 0.22%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 4.69%
- 3Y*
- 4.01%
- 5Y*
- 0.13%
- 10Y*
- 1.60%
PQCNX vs. AGG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PQCNX PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund | 0.24% | 7.13% | 1.44% | 4.88% | -14.28% | -2.30% | 7.01% | 8.41% | -0.38% | 1.89% |
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.42% | 7.19% | 1.31% | 5.65% | -13.02% | -1.77% | 7.48% | 8.46% | 0.09% | 3.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between PQCNX and AGG is 0.90, 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 | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017 | 0.92 |
The correlation between PQCNX and AGG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PQCNX vs. AGG — Risk / Return Rank
PQCNX
AGG
PQCNX vs. AGG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund (PQCNX) and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG). 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.
| PQCNX | AGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.22 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.67 | 1.70 | -0.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.01 | 5.21 | -0.20 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PQCNX | AGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.29 | 1.24 | +0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.06 | 0.02 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.30 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.25 | 0.59 | -0.34 |
Drawdowns
PQCNX vs. AGG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PQCNX drawdown since its inception was -20.33%, which is greater than AGG's maximum drawdown of -18.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQCNX and AGG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PQCNX | AGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.33% | -18.43% | -1.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.17% | -2.76% | -0.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.37% | -6.11% | -0.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.42% | -17.82% | -1.60% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.43% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.70% | -1.98% | -2.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.07% | -2.71% | -3.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.06% | 0.90% | +0.16% |
Volatility
PQCNX vs. AGG - Volatility Comparison
PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund (PQCNX) and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) have volatilities of 1.30% and 1.29%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| PQCNX | AGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.30% | 1.29% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.93% | 2.74% | +0.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.13% | 3.85% | +0.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.11% | 6.09% | +0.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.10% | 5.40% | -0.30% |
PQCNX vs. AGG - Expense Ratio Comparison
PQCNX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than AGG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
PQCNX vs. AGG - Dividend Comparison
PQCNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, more than AGG's 3.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 3.98% | 3.89% | 3.74% | 3.13% | 2.39% | 1.77% | 2.14% | 2.70% | 2.72% | 2.32% | 2.39% | 2.45% |
PQCNX PGIM Core Conservative Bond Fund | 4.25% | 4.17% | 3.91% | 2.74% | 1.98% | 2.13% | 3.13% | 2.71% | 2.66% | 0.97% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, PQCNX and AGG 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.
PQCNX has higher volatility (1.30%) compared to AGG (1.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQCNX dropped -20.33% vs AGG's -18.43%.
PQCNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 vs 1.24), 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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