PTIAX vs. VPLS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PTIAX (Performance Trust Strategic Bond Fund) and VPLS (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past year, PTIAX returned 5.91% vs 5.30% for VPLS. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PTIAX charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VPLS.

Performance

PTIAX vs. VPLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Performance Trust Strategic Bond Fund (PTIAX) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTIAX achieves a 1.35% return, which is significantly higher than VPLS's 0.80% return.

PTIAX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.42%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 5.91%
• 3Y*: 5.44%
• 5Y*: 0.99%
• 10Y*: 2.90%

VPLS

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 0.89%
• 1Y: 5.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PTIAX vs. VPLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PTIAX Performance Trust Strategic Bond Fund	1.35%	6.92%	3.52%	2.23%
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	0.80%	7.86%	2.72%	2.83%

Correlation

The correlation between PTIAX and VPLS is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.92

The correlation between PTIAX and VPLS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PTIAX vs. VPLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTIAX

PTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 31
PTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
PTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
PTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
PTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
PTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

VPLS

VPLS Risk / Return Rank: 42
VPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

PTIAX vs. VPLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Performance Trust Strategic Bond Fund (PTIAX) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS). 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.

	PTIAX	VPLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	1.48	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	2.19	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.26	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	1.96	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.57	6.12	-0.55

PTIAX vs. VPLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is comparable to the VPLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTIAX and VPLS, 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

PTIAX vs. VPLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTIAX drawdown since its inception was -16.90%, which is greater than VPLS's maximum drawdown of -4.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTIAX and VPLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTIAX	VPLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.90%	-4.17%	-12.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.99%	-2.72%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.96%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-1.06%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.43%	-1.01%	-1.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	0.87%	+0.21%

Volatility

PTIAX vs. VPLS - Volatility Comparison

Performance Trust Strategic Bond Fund (PTIAX) has a higher volatility of 1.03% compared to Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) at 0.96%. This indicates that PTIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTIAX	VPLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.03%	0.96%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.84%	2.76%	+0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.93%	3.61%	+0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.98%	4.59%	+0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.05%	4.59%	-0.54%

PTIAX vs. VPLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTIAX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than VPLS's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTIAX vs. VPLS - Dividend Comparison

PTIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, which matches VPLS's 4.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTIAX Performance Trust Strategic Bond Fund	4.74%	4.68%	4.44%	4.03%	3.96%	3.01%	3.86%	4.11%	4.47%	5.51%	5.49%	4.87%
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	4.75%	4.78%	4.52%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTIAX and VPLS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, PTIAX and VPLS 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.

Which is riskier, PTIAX or VPLS?

PTIAX has higher volatility (1.03%) compared to VPLS (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTIAX dropped -16.90% vs VPLS's -4.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.48), 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.