PUCZX vs. VBMPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PUCZX (PGIM Strategic Bond Fund Class Z) and VBMPX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds. Over the past 10 years, PUCZX returned 4.32%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBMPX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PUCZX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VBMPX.

Performance

PUCZX vs. VBMPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Strategic Bond Fund Class Z (PUCZX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PUCZX achieves a 0.95% return, which is significantly higher than VBMPX's 0.43% return. Over the past 10 years, PUCZX has outperformed VBMPX with an annualized return of 4.32%, while VBMPX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

PUCZX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.95%
• 6M: 1.15%
• 1Y: 6.89%
• 3Y*: 7.33%
• 5Y*: 1.92%
• 10Y*: 4.32%

VBMPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.36%
• 1Y: 5.36%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: 0.23%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

PUCZX vs. VBMPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PUCZX PGIM Strategic Bond Fund Class Z	0.95%	8.47%	6.46%	8.20%	-13.74%	0.05%	6.28%	14.89%	1.09%	7.48%
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	0.43%	7.18%	1.27%	5.75%	-13.14%	-1.95%	7.75%	8.74%	-0.24%	3.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PUCZX and VBMPX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.64

Over the past year, PUCZX and VBMPX have become more correlated (0.91) than their long-term average of 0.64, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PUCZX vs. VBMPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PUCZX

PUCZX Risk / Return Rank: 39
PUCZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
PUCZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
PUCZX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
PUCZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PUCZX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VBMPX

VBMPX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VBMPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VBMPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VBMPX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VBMPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VBMPX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

PUCZX vs. VBMPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Strategic Bond Fund Class Z (PUCZX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX). 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.

	PUCZX	VBMPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	1.36	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.05	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.24	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	1.86	+0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.99	5.61	+2.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PUCZX vs. VBMPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PUCZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the VBMPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PUCZX and VBMPX, 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

	PUCZX	VBMPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	1.36	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.04	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	0.32	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	0.52	+0.47

Drawdowns

PUCZX vs. VBMPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PUCZX drawdown since its inception was -18.60%, roughly equal to the maximum VBMPX drawdown of -18.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PUCZX and VBMPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PUCZX	VBMPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.60%	-18.90%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-2.89%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.58%	-5.99%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.60%	-18.12%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.60%	-18.90%	+0.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-2.23%	+1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.37%	-3.53%	+0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.96%	-0.11%

Volatility

PUCZX vs. VBMPX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Strategic Bond Fund Class Z (PUCZX) has a higher volatility of 1.61% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX) at 1.38%. This indicates that PUCZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBMPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PUCZX	VBMPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.61%	1.38%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.97%	2.80%	+0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.74%	3.97%	-0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.65%	6.02%	-1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.72%	4.98%	-0.26%

PUCZX vs. VBMPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PUCZX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than VBMPX's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PUCZX vs. VBMPX - Dividend Comparison

PUCZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.14%, more than VBMPX's 4.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PUCZX PGIM Strategic Bond Fund Class Z	5.14%	5.12%	6.40%	7.62%	5.17%	3.65%	5.06%	8.81%	4.56%	4.52%	6.49%	0.00%
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	4.00%	3.88%	3.69%	3.11%	2.61%	1.81%	2.41%	2.75%	2.58%	2.58%	2.55%	2.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PUCZX and VBMPX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PUCZX and VBMPX 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, PUCZX or VBMPX?

PUCZX has higher volatility (1.61%) compared to VBMPX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PUCZX dropped -18.60% vs VBMPX's -18.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PUCZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.36), 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.