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PTRB vs. IUSB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

PTRB vs. IUSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTRB (PGIM Total Return Bond ETF) and IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. PTRB is actively managed, while IUSB is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PTRB returned 5.11%/yr vs 4.51%/yr for IUSB. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PTRB charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IUSB.

Performance

PTRB vs. IUSB - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTRB achieves a 0.34% return, which is significantly lower than IUSB's 0.43% return.

PTRB

1D
-0.19%
1M
0.28%
YTD
0.34%
6M
0.41%
1Y
5.81%
3Y*
5.11%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

IUSB

1D
-0.17%
1M
0.31%
YTD
0.43%
6M
0.31%
1Y
5.54%
3Y*
4.51%
5Y*
0.44%
10Y*
1.94%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PTRB vs. IUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
PTRB
PGIM Total Return Bond ETF		0.34%7.63%2.67%7.71%-14.82%-0.15%
IUSB
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF		0.43%7.38%2.11%6.23%-13.04%0.09%

Correlation

The correlation between PTRB and IUSB 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

0.93

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2021

0.95

The correlation between PTRB and IUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

PTRB vs. IUSB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
PTRB
IUSB

Financial Services

4.2%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

100.0%

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Financial Services

PTRB
4.2%
IUSB

-

Basic Materials

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

Communication Services

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

Consumer Cyclical

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

Consumer Defensive

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

Energy

PTRB

-

IUSB
100.0%

Healthcare

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

Industrials

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

Real Estate

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

Technology

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

Utilities

PTRB

-

IUSB

-

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PGIM Total Return Bond ETF

iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF

Often compared with PTRB:
PTRB vs. EVTRPTRB vs. HWHIXPTRB vs. BNDPTRB vs. HCRBPTRB vs. PDBAXPTRB vs. PHYLPTRB vs. FBND
Often compared with IUSB:
IUSB vs. BNDIUSB vs. AGGIUSB vs. FBNDIUSB vs. IAGGIUSB vs. ICSHIUSB vs. IXUSIUSB vs. FLOT

Return for Risk

PTRB vs. IUSB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
PTRB
PTRB Risk / Return Rank: 4040
Overall Rank
PTRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PTRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 4242
Sortino Ratio Rank
PTRB Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
PTRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
PTRB Martin Ratio Rank: 3838
Martin Ratio Rank
IUSB
IUSB Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
IUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 4545
Sortino Ratio Rank
IUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
IUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 4343
Calmar Ratio Rank
IUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 4141
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). 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.

PTRBIUSBDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.46
1.54

-0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.13
2.30

-0.17

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.27

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.01

2.20

-0.19

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.00

6.68

-0.68

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. IUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTRB Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is comparable to the IUSB Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTRB and IUSB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

PTRBIUSBDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.46

1.54

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.08

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.39

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.06

0.46

-0.40

Drawdowns

PTRB vs. IUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTRB drawdown since its inception was -19.17%, which is greater than IUSB's maximum drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTRB and IUSB.

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Drawdown Indicators

PTRBIUSBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-19.17%

-17.90%

-1.27%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.90%

-2.53%

-0.37%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.52%

-5.82%

+0.30%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-17.87%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-17.90%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.61%

-1.33%

-0.28%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.64%

-3.59%

-4.05%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.97%

0.83%

+0.14%

Volatility

PTRB vs. IUSB - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) has a higher volatility of 1.37% compared to iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) at 1.24%. This indicates that PTRB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

PTRBIUSBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.37%

1.24%

+0.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.83%

2.62%

+0.21%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.01%

3.62%

+0.39%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.25%

5.79%

+0.46%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

6.25%

5.04%

+1.21%

PTRB vs. IUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTRB has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSB's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTRB vs. IUSB - Dividend Comparison

PTRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, more than IUSB's 4.23% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IUSB
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF		4.23%4.17%4.04%3.46%2.53%1.74%2.68%3.04%2.98%2.56%2.60%1.95%
PTRB
PGIM Total Return Bond ETF		4.74%4.73%5.10%4.62%4.07%0.12%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.95, PTRB and IUSB 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.

PTRB has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to IUSB (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTRB dropped -19.17% vs IUSB's -17.90%.

On 3-year performance, PTRB leads with 5.11% vs 4.51% for IUSB. On fees, IUSB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IUSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, PTRB has performed better with a 5.11% return vs 4.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IUSB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for PTRB.

PTRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.74%, compared with 4.23% for IUSB.

They also come from different issuers: PGIM and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for PTRB and 0.06% for IUSB.

IUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.46), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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