PTRB vs. HCRB

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

PTRB (PGIM Total Return Bond ETF) and HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PTRB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by PGIM, while HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PTRB returned 4.94%/yr vs 4.28%/yr for HCRB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PTRB charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for HCRB.

Performance

PTRB vs. HCRB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) and Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTRB achieves a -0.08% return, which is significantly higher than HCRB's -0.11% return.

PTRB

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -0.71%
• YTD: -0.08%
• 6M: 0.09%
• 1Y: 4.94%
• 3Y*: 4.94%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HCRB

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -0.62%
• YTD: -0.11%
• 6M: 0.01%
• 1Y: 4.52%
• 3Y*: 4.28%
• 5Y*: 0.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

PTRB vs. HCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	-0.08%	7.63%	2.67%	7.71%	-14.82%	-0.15%
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	-0.11%	7.06%	2.23%	6.98%	-14.61%	0.10%

Correlation

The correlation between PTRB and HCRB is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2021	0.94

The correlation between PTRB and HCRB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PTRB vs. HCRB — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTRB

PTRB Risk / Return Rank: 36
PTRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
PTRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
PTRB Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PTRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
PTRB Martin Ratio Rank: 35

HCRB

HCRB Risk / Return Rank: 34
HCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
HCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
HCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 33
HCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
HCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

PTRB vs. HCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) and Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB). 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.

	PTRB	HCRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.20	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	1.76	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.21	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	1.61	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.05	4.82	+0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTRB vs. HCRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTRB Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the HCRB Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTRB and HCRB, 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

	PTRB	HCRB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	1.20	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.01	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.04	0.12	-0.08

Drawdowns

PTRB vs. HCRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTRB drawdown since its inception was -19.17%, roughly equal to the maximum HCRB drawdown of -19.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTRB and HCRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTRB	HCRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.17%	-19.90%	+0.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	-2.82%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.52%	-6.18%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	-2.14%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.63%	-7.01%	-0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	0.94%	+0.04%

Volatility

PTRB vs. HCRB - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) has a higher volatility of 1.40% compared to Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) at 1.31%. This indicates that PTRB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTRB	HCRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.40%	1.31%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	2.74%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.00%	3.80%	+0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.25%	6.12%	+0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.25%	5.95%	+0.30%

PTRB vs. HCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTRB has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than HCRB's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTRB vs. HCRB - Dividend Comparison

PTRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%, more than HCRB's 4.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	4.20%	4.12%	4.15%	3.39%	2.18%	1.47%	1.81%
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	4.76%	4.73%	5.10%	4.62%	4.07%	0.12%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTRB and HCRB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PTRB and HCRB 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, PTRB or HCRB?

PTRB has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to HCRB (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTRB dropped -19.17% vs HCRB's -19.90%.

Which ETF is better, PTRB or HCRB?

On 3-year performance, PTRB leads with 4.94% vs 4.28% for HCRB. On fees, HCRB is cheaper at 0.29% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTRB or HCRB?

Over the 3-year period, PTRB has performed better with a 4.94% return vs 4.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTRB or HCRB?

HCRB is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for PTRB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PTRB or HCRB?

PTRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.76%, compared with 4.20% for HCRB.

What is the main difference between PTRB and HCRB?

PTRB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while HCRB is Intermediate Core Bond. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Hartford. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for PTRB and 0.29% for HCRB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTRB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.20), 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.