PRBLX vs. BND

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PRBLX (Parnassus Core Equity Fund) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both funds - PRBLX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Parnassus, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, PRBLX returned 13.56%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for BND. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. PRBLX charges 0.82%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.

Performance

PRBLX vs. BND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parnassus Core Equity Fund (PRBLX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRBLX achieves a 5.58% return, which is significantly higher than BND's 0.52% return. Over the past 10 years, PRBLX has outperformed BND with an annualized return of 13.56%, while BND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

PRBLX

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: 1.37%
• YTD: 5.58%
• 6M: 6.06%
• 1Y: 13.44%
• 3Y*: 15.85%
• 5Y*: 9.88%
• 10Y*: 13.56%

BND

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 1.03%
• YTD: 0.52%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 4.77%
• 3Y*: 4.17%
• 5Y*: 0.03%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

PRBLX vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRBLX Parnassus Core Equity Fund	5.58%	11.67%	18.58%	24.97%	-18.64%	27.59%	21.21%	30.68%	-0.30%	16.63%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	0.52%	7.08%	1.38%	5.65%	-13.11%	-1.86%	7.71%	8.84%	-0.12%	3.57%

Correlation

The correlation between PRBLX and BND is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007	-0.11

The correlation between PRBLX and BND shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRBLX vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRBLX

PRBLX Risk / Return Rank: 20
PRBLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
PRBLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
PRBLX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
PRBLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PRBLX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

BND

BND Risk / Return Rank: 37
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 35
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

PRBLX vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parnassus Core Equity Fund (PRBLX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.

	PRBLX	BND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	1.18	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.48	1.77	-0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.21	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.08	1.65	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.17	4.81	-0.64

PRBLX vs. BND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRBLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is comparable to the BND Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRBLX and BND, 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

PRBLX vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRBLX drawdown since its inception was -42.20%, which is greater than BND's maximum drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRBLX and BND.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRBLX	BND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.20%	-18.58%	-23.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-2.68%	-8.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.31%	-5.92%	-10.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.31%	-17.91%	-8.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.09%	-18.58%	-11.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	-2.12%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-3.06%	-0.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	0.92%	+2.07%

Volatility

PRBLX vs. BND - Volatility Comparison

Parnassus Core Equity Fund (PRBLX) has a higher volatility of 4.20% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) at 1.28%. This indicates that PRBLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRBLX	BND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.20%	1.28%	+2.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.70%	2.74%	+6.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.21%	3.75%	+8.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.31%	6.03%	+10.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	5.53%	+11.76%

PRBLX vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRBLX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRBLX vs. BND - Dividend Comparison

PRBLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 18.03%, more than BND's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	3.96%	3.86%	3.67%	3.09%	2.60%	2.12%	2.38%	2.72%	2.81%	2.54%	2.51%	2.57%
PRBLX Parnassus Core Equity Fund	18.03%	19.08%	10.00%	6.01%	10.13%	7.77%	5.87%	8.02%	9.64%	7.16%	3.80%	9.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRBLX and BND in my portfolio?

PRBLX and BND have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRBLX or BND?

PRBLX has higher volatility (4.20%) compared to BND (1.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRBLX dropped -42.20% vs BND's -18.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs 1.02), 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.