PTRB vs. PAB

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PTRB (PGIM Total Return Bond ETF) and PAB (PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PTRB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by PGIM, while PAB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PTRB returned 4.95%/yr vs 4.46%/yr for PAB. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PTRB charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for PAB.

Performance

PTRB vs. PAB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTRB achieves a -0.27% return, which is significantly higher than PAB's -0.37% return.

PTRB

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: -1.14%
• 6M: -0.36%
• YTD: -0.27%
• 1Y: 2.49%
• 3Y*: 4.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.20%

PAB

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -1.01%
• 6M: -0.49%
• YTD: -0.37%
• 1Y: 2.21%
• 3Y*: 4.46%
• 5Y*: -0.35%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.09%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PAB PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF	$365.20K	$315.05K	$1.07M
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	$6.78M	$6.75M	$6.69M

PTRB vs. PAB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	-0.27%	7.63%	2.67%	7.71%	-14.82%	-0.20%
PAB PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF	-0.37%	7.55%	1.89%	6.37%	-14.24%	-0.01%

Correlation

The correlation between PTRB and PAB is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2021	0.94

The correlation between PTRB and PAB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PTRB vs. PAB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PTRB

PTRB Risk / Return Rank: 26
PTRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PTRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
PTRB Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PTRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
PTRB Martin Ratio Rank: 26

PAB

PAB Risk / Return Rank: 24
PAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
PAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PAB Omega Ratio Rank: 22
PAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
PAB Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PTRB vs. PAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) and PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF (PAB). 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.

	PTRB	PAB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	0.60	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	0.87	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.10	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	0.77	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.14	1.93	+0.21

PTRB vs. PAB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTRB Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is comparable to the PAB Sharpe Ratio of 0.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTRB and PAB, 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

PTRB vs. PAB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTRB drawdown since its inception was -19.17%, roughly equal to the maximum PAB drawdown of -19.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTRB and PAB.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTRB	PAB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.17%	-19.27%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	-2.86%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.91%	-5.02%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-2.23%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.42%	-7.64%	+0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	1.14%	+0.02%

Volatility

PTRB vs. PAB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) is 1.06%, while PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF (PAB) has a volatility of 1.20%. This indicates that PTRB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTRB	PAB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	1.20%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.19%	3.08%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	3.73%	+0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.19%	6.21%	-0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.19%	6.10%	+0.09%

PTRB vs. PAB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTRB has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than PAB's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTRB vs. PAB - Dividend Comparison

PTRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%, more than PAB's 4.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PAB PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF	4.65%	4.28%	4.25%	3.70%	2.81%	2.34%
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	4.76%	4.73%	5.10%	4.62%	4.07%	0.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTRB and PAB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, PTRB and PAB 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 PAB?

PAB has higher volatility (1.20%) compared to PTRB (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTRB dropped -19.17% vs PAB's -19.27%.

Which ETF is better, PTRB or PAB?

On 3-year performance, PTRB leads with 4.95% vs 4.46% for PAB. On fees, PAB is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, PTRB has been the lower-risk option at 1.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTRB or PAB?

Over the 3-year period, PTRB has performed better with a 4.95% return vs 4.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTRB or PAB?

PAB is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for PTRB.

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

PTRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.76%, compared with 4.65% for PAB.

What is the main difference between PTRB and PAB?

PTRB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while PAB is Intermediate Core Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for PTRB and 0.19% for PAB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTRB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.65 vs 0.60), 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.