PRRIX vs. VSGDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRRIX (PIMCO Real Return Fund) and VSGDX (Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PRRIX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by PIMCO, while VSGDX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PRRIX returned 2.87%/yr vs 1.91%/yr for VSGDX. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRRIX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VSGDX.

Performance

PRRIX vs. VSGDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Real Return Fund (PRRIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRRIX achieves a 1.57% return, which is significantly higher than VSGDX's 0.64% return. Over the past 10 years, PRRIX has outperformed VSGDX with an annualized return of 2.87%, while VSGDX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.91% annualized return.

PRRIX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 1.57%
• 6M: 1.34%
• 1Y: 5.96%
• 3Y*: 4.70%
• 5Y*: 1.03%
• 10Y*: 2.87%

VSGDX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 4.01%
• 3Y*: 4.53%
• 5Y*: 1.69%
• 10Y*: 1.91%

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

PRRIX vs. VSGDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRRIX PIMCO Real Return Fund	1.57%	8.19%	2.60%	3.29%	-13.27%	5.70%	12.11%	8.53%	-1.96%	4.22%
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares	0.64%	5.94%	4.26%	3.92%	-5.22%	-0.58%	4.46%	4.21%	1.37%	0.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PRRIX and VSGDX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2001	0.66

The correlation between PRRIX and VSGDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (10 years) to 0.76 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRRIX vs. VSGDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRRIX

PRRIX Risk / Return Rank: 32
PRRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
PRRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
PRRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PRRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PRRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

VSGDX

VSGDX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VSGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VSGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VSGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VSGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

PRRIX vs. VSGDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Real Return Fund (PRRIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX). 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.

	PRRIX	VSGDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.82	-0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	3.17	-0.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.38	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	3.23	-0.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.71	11.62	-2.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRRIX vs. VSGDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRRIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the VSGDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRRIX and VSGDX, 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

	PRRIX	VSGDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	1.82	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.63	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.88	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	1.24	-0.38

Drawdowns

PRRIX vs. VSGDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRRIX drawdown since its inception was -19.25%, which is greater than VSGDX's maximum drawdown of -7.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRRIX and VSGDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRRIX	VSGDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.25%	-7.29%	-11.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.66%	-1.35%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.51%	-1.35%	-3.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.76%	-7.29%	-8.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.76%	-7.29%	-8.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.38%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.17%	-0.73%	-2.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	0.37%	+0.39%

Volatility

PRRIX vs. VSGDX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Real Return Fund (PRRIX) has a higher volatility of 1.66% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) at 0.72%. This indicates that PRRIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSGDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRRIX	VSGDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.66%	0.72%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.95%	1.58%	+1.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96%	2.16%	+1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.27%	2.68%	+3.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.64%	2.17%	+3.47%

PRRIX vs. VSGDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRRIX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VSGDX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRRIX vs. VSGDX - Dividend Comparison

PRRIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.14%, more than VSGDX's 3.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRRIX PIMCO Real Return Fund	4.14%	3.92%	3.17%	2.83%	7.38%	5.12%	2.62%	1.91%	2.70%	2.57%	1.10%	0.99%
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares	3.95%	3.79%	3.56%	3.42%	1.78%	1.45%	1.78%	2.42%	2.02%	1.46%	1.43%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRRIX and VSGDX in my portfolio?

PRRIX and VSGDX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRRIX or VSGDX?

PRRIX has higher volatility (1.66%) compared to VSGDX (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRRIX dropped -19.25% vs VSGDX's -7.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSGDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.44), 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.