PRUAX vs. PDBZX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRUAX (PGIM Jennison Utility Fund) and PDBZX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z) are both mutual funds - PRUAX is a Utilities Equities fund managed by PGIM, while PDBZX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM. Over the past 10 years, PRUAX returned 10.47%/yr vs 2.88%/yr for PDBZX. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PRUAX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for PDBZX.

Performance

PRUAX vs. PDBZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) and PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRUAX achieves a 3.61% return, which is significantly higher than PDBZX's 0.72% return. Over the past 10 years, PRUAX has outperformed PDBZX with an annualized return of 10.47%, while PDBZX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.88% annualized return.

PRUAX

• 1D: 2.04%
• 1M: -5.67%
• YTD: 3.61%
• 6M: 1.46%
• 1Y: 10.14%
• 3Y*: 17.80%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: 10.47%

PDBZX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 0.68%
• 1Y: 6.24%
• 3Y*: 5.37%
• 5Y*: 0.93%
• 10Y*: 2.88%

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

PRUAX vs. PDBZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRUAX PGIM Jennison Utility Fund	3.61%	11.47%	39.83%	-3.96%	-0.18%	14.89%	4.14%	27.06%	1.14%	13.78%
PDBZX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z	0.72%	7.70%	2.87%	7.70%	-14.33%	-1.46%	8.01%	14.76%	-0.72%	6.60%

Correlation

The correlation between PRUAX and PDBZX is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 1996	0.05

The correlation between PRUAX and PDBZX shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (all time) to 0.28 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRUAX vs. PDBZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRUAX

PRUAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
PRUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PRUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

PDBZX

PDBZX Risk / Return Rank: 27
PDBZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
PDBZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
PDBZX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PDBZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
PDBZX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

PRUAX vs. PDBZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) and PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX). 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.

	PRUAX	PDBZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	1.44	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	2.18	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.27	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	2.09	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.55	6.21	-3.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRUAX vs. PDBZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRUAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is lower than the PDBZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRUAX and PDBZX, 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

	PRUAX	PDBZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67	1.44	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.15	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.54	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	1.09	-0.43

Drawdowns

PRUAX vs. PDBZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRUAX drawdown since its inception was -58.20%, which is greater than PDBZX's maximum drawdown of -20.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRUAX and PDBZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRUAX	PDBZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.20%	-20.88%	-37.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-3.00%	-6.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.92%	-5.51%	-9.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.65%	-20.81%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.54%	-20.88%	-14.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.94%	-1.29%	-5.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.43%	-2.31%	-7.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	1.01%	+3.09%

Volatility

PRUAX vs. PDBZX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) has a higher volatility of 5.92% compared to PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z (PDBZX) at 2.08%. This indicates that PRUAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PDBZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRUAX	PDBZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.92%	2.08%	+3.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	3.30%	+9.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.55%	4.35%	+11.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	6.05%	+11.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	5.37%	+12.52%

PRUAX vs. PDBZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRUAX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than PDBZX's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRUAX vs. PDBZX - Dividend Comparison

PRUAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.95%, more than PDBZX's 4.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDBZX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund Class Z	4.57%	4.54%	4.79%	4.60%	5.73%	2.73%	2.94%	10.36%	4.01%	2.87%	3.92%	3.33%
PRUAX PGIM Jennison Utility Fund	10.95%	11.24%	18.59%	9.82%	8.33%	13.94%	2.07%	5.62%	9.19%	4.19%	7.64%	11.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRUAX and PDBZX in my portfolio?

PRUAX and PDBZX have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRUAX or PDBZX?

PRUAX has higher volatility (5.92%) compared to PDBZX (2.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRUAX dropped -58.20% vs PDBZX's -20.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDBZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.67), 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.