PTRQX vs. VCIT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PTRQX (PGIM Total Return Bond R6) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both funds - PTRQX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays U.S. 5-10 Year Corp Index. Over the past 10 years, PTRQX returned 2.58%/yr vs 2.95%/yr for VCIT. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PTRQX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCIT.

Performance

PTRQX vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTRQX achieves a 0.68% return, which is significantly higher than VCIT's 0.40% return. Over the past 10 years, PTRQX has underperformed VCIT with an annualized return of 2.58%, while VCIT has yielded a comparatively higher 2.95% annualized return.

PTRQX

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 6.26%
• 3Y*: 5.47%
• 5Y*: 0.97%
• 10Y*: 2.58%

VCIT

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 0.40%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 6.39%
• 3Y*: 6.08%
• 5Y*: 1.35%
• 10Y*: 2.95%

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

PTRQX vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	0.68%	7.81%	3.06%	7.80%	-14.30%	-1.37%	8.13%	10.85%	-0.73%	6.67%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.40%	9.34%	3.20%	8.98%	-13.98%	-1.77%	9.46%	14.10%	-1.74%	5.31%

Correlation

The correlation between PTRQX and VCIT is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011	0.82

The correlation between PTRQX and VCIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PTRQX vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTRQX

PTRQX Risk / Return Rank: 25
PTRQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
PTRQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
PTRQX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PTRQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
PTRQX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VCIT

VCIT Risk / Return Rank: 44
VCIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VCIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VCIT Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VCIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VCIT Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

PTRQX vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). 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.

	PTRQX	VCIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.57	-0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	2.32	-0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.28	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	2.10	+0.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.55	7.05	-0.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTRQX vs. VCIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTRQX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the VCIT Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTRQX and VCIT, 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

	PTRQX	VCIT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	1.57	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.21	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.47	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.76	0.00

Drawdowns

PTRQX vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTRQX drawdown since its inception was -20.72%, roughly equal to the maximum VCIT drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTRQX and VCIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTRQX	VCIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.72%	-20.56%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.08%	-2.96%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.47%	-6.11%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.69%	-20.56%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.72%	-20.56%	-0.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-1.14%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-3.16%	-0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.01%	0.88%	+0.13%

Volatility

PTRQX vs. VCIT - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX) has a higher volatility of 1.98% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) at 1.39%. This indicates that PTRQX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTRQX	VCIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.98%	1.39%	+0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.23%	3.07%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.27%	4.10%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.03%	6.61%	-0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.25%	6.28%	-1.03%

PTRQX vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTRQX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VCIT's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTRQX vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison

PTRQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, less than VCIT's 4.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	4.67%	4.63%	4.89%	4.70%	5.83%	2.82%	3.05%	6.95%	3.99%	2.93%	4.01%	3.11%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.79%	4.62%	4.43%	3.72%	3.03%	2.87%	2.78%	3.37%	3.61%	3.21%	3.29%	3.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTRQX and VCIT in my portfolio?

PTRQX and VCIT have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTRQX or VCIT?

PTRQX has higher volatility (1.98%) compared to VCIT (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTRQX dropped -20.72% vs VCIT's -20.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.41), 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.