PTTRX vs. PDBAX
PTTRX (PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class) and PDBAX (PGIM Total Return Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, PTTRX returned 2.27%/yr vs 2.38%/yr for PDBAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PTTRX charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.76%/yr for PDBAX.
Performance
PTTRX vs. PDBAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PTTRX achieves a 0.30% return, which is significantly higher than PDBAX's 0.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PTTRX having a 2.27% annualized return and PDBAX not far ahead at 2.38%.
PTTRX
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 0.88%
- YTD
- 0.30%
- 6M
- 0.80%
- 1Y
- 6.09%
- 3Y*
- 5.37%
- 5Y*
- 0.57%
- 10Y*
- 2.27%
PDBAX
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 0.72%
- YTD
- 0.20%
- 6M
- 0.72%
- 1Y
- 4.72%
- 3Y*
- 4.36%
- 5Y*
- 0.08%
- 10Y*
- 2.38%
PTTRX vs. PDBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class | 0.30% | 9.35% | 2.62% | 6.33% | -14.72% | -0.59% | 8.88% | 8.36% | -0.24% | 5.13% |
PDBAX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund | 0.20% | 7.50% | 1.82% | 6.51% | -14.52% | -1.77% | 7.78% | 14.71% | -0.97% | 6.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between PTTRX and PDBAX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 10, 1995 | 0.84 |
The correlation between PTTRX and PDBAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.84 (all time) to 0.96 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PTTRX vs. PDBAX — Risk / Return Rank
PTTRX
PDBAX
PTTRX vs. PDBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) and PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX). 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.
| PTTRX | PDBAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.21 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.73 | 1.63 | +0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.09 | 4.52 | +0.57 |
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Drawdowns
PTTRX vs. PDBAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PTTRX drawdown since its inception was -19.28%, smaller than the maximum PDBAX drawdown of -21.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTTRX and PDBAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PTTRX | PDBAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.28% | -21.24% | +1.96% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.69% | -3.07% | -0.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.18% | -5.99% | -0.19% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.28% | -21.01% | +1.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.28% | -21.24% | +1.96% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.82% | -1.92% | +0.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.19% | -2.47% | +0.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.25% | 1.11% | +0.14% |
Volatility
PTTRX vs. PDBAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) is 1.39%, while PGIM Total Return Bond Fund (PDBAX) has a volatility of 1.97%. This indicates that PTTRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PDBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PTTRX | PDBAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.39% | 1.97% | -0.58% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.63% | 3.41% | +0.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.63% | 4.37% | +0.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.28% | 6.05% | +0.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.24% | 5.36% | -0.12% |
PTTRX vs. PDBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PTTRX has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is lower than PDBAX's 0.76% expense ratio.
Dividends
PTTRX vs. PDBAX - Dividend Comparison
PTTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than PDBAX's 4.32% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PDBAX PGIM Total Return Bond Fund | 4.32% | 4.27% | 3.76% | 3.55% | 5.49% | 2.47% | 2.68% | 10.32% | 3.74% | 2.60% | 3.65% | 2.94% |
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class | 4.56% | 4.47% | 4.61% | 3.81% | 3.63% | 2.59% | 6.11% | 3.96% | 3.13% | 2.63% | 3.02% | 6.64% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, PTTRX and PDBAX 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.
PDBAX has higher volatility (1.97%) compared to PTTRX (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTTRX dropped -19.28% vs PDBAX's -21.24%.
PTTRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 1.15), 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.
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