PTKIX vs. TIBDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTKIX (T. Rowe Price Total Return Fund) and TIBDX (TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, PTKIX returned -0.30%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for TIBDX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PTKIX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for TIBDX.

Performance

PTKIX vs. TIBDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Total Return Fund (PTKIX) and TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund (TIBDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTKIX achieves a 0.54% return, which is significantly lower than TIBDX's 0.67% return.

PTKIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 5.83%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: -0.30%
• 10Y*: —

TIBDX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 0.67%
• 6M: 0.72%
• 1Y: 6.03%
• 3Y*: 4.33%
• 5Y*: 0.25%
• 10Y*: 1.99%

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

PTKIX vs. TIBDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTKIX T. Rowe Price Total Return Fund	0.54%	7.50%	2.46%	4.95%	-16.52%	0.59%	8.40%	11.86%	0.17%	4.97%
TIBDX TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund	0.67%	7.38%	1.95%	5.63%	-13.68%	-0.95%	8.10%	9.57%	-0.64%	4.38%

Correlation

The correlation between PTKIX and TIBDX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.92

The correlation between PTKIX and TIBDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (1 year) to 0.94 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PTKIX vs. TIBDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTKIX

PTKIX Risk / Return Rank: 29
PTKIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PTKIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
PTKIX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
PTKIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
PTKIX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

TIBDX

TIBDX Risk / Return Rank: 30
TIBDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
TIBDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
TIBDX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
TIBDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TIBDX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

PTKIX vs. TIBDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Total Return Fund (PTKIX) and TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund (TIBDX). 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.

	PTKIX	TIBDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.56	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	2.34	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.29	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	2.04	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.17	6.36	-0.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTKIX vs. TIBDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTKIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the TIBDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTKIX and TIBDX, 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

	PTKIX	TIBDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.56	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.05	0.05	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.95	-0.49

Drawdowns

PTKIX vs. TIBDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTKIX drawdown since its inception was -20.91%, which is greater than TIBDX's maximum drawdown of -18.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTKIX and TIBDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTKIX	TIBDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.91%	-18.82%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.93%	-2.98%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.19%	-6.29%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.91%	-18.82%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.10%	-1.22%	-2.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.80%	-2.30%	-3.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	0.95%	+0.01%

Volatility

PTKIX vs. TIBDX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Total Return Fund (PTKIX) and TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund (TIBDX) have volatilities of 1.39% and 1.39%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	PTKIX	TIBDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	1.39%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	2.88%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90%	3.90%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.88%	5.63%	+0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.06%	4.73%	+0.33%

PTKIX vs. TIBDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTKIX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than TIBDX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTKIX vs. TIBDX - Dividend Comparison

PTKIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.23%, more than TIBDX's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTKIX T. Rowe Price Total Return Fund	5.23%	5.27%	5.22%	4.19%	2.87%	3.28%	3.38%	6.78%	3.41%	3.35%	0.00%	0.00%
TIBDX TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund	4.45%	4.34%	3.60%	3.22%	2.44%	2.39%	4.45%	3.09%	2.88%	2.93%	3.80%	4.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTKIX and TIBDX in my portfolio?

PTKIX and TIBDX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTKIX or TIBDX?

TIBDX has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to PTKIX (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTKIX dropped -20.91% vs TIBDX's -18.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIBDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.55), 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.