PULS vs. TBUX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PULS (PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF) and TBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PULS returned 5.61%/yr vs 5.85%/yr for TBUX. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PULS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for TBUX.

Performance

PULS vs. TBUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PULS having a 1.73% return and TBUX slightly lower at 1.65%.

PULS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.73%
• 6M: 2.09%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 5.61%
• 5Y*: 4.12%
• 10Y*: —

TBUX

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 2.09%
• 1Y: 4.77%
• 3Y*: 5.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PULS vs. TBUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.73%	4.97%	6.12%	6.26%	1.52%	-0.01%
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	1.65%	5.37%	6.38%	6.39%	-0.13%	-0.22%

Correlation

The correlation between PULS and TBUX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2021	0.35

PULS vs. TBUX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PULS	TBUX
Financial Services	1.5%	0.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.3%
Communication Services	-	15.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	14.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.5%
Energy	-	0.6%
Healthcare	-	5.0%
Industrials	-	3.5%
Real Estate	-	0.2%
Technology	-	52.7%
Utilities	-	1.2%

Return for Risk

PULS vs. TBUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PULS

PULS Risk / Return Rank: 100
PULS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

TBUX

TBUX Risk / Return Rank: 99
TBUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

PULS vs. TBUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX). 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.

	PULS	TBUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	11.41	7.13	+4.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	32.91	14.36	+18.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	7.59	3.08	+4.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	52.47	39.71	+12.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	318.56	170.19	+148.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PULS vs. TBUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PULS Sharpe Ratio is 11.41, which is higher than the TBUX Sharpe Ratio of 7.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PULS and TBUX, 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

	PULS	TBUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.41	7.13	+4.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	5.92	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.51	3.89	-1.38

Drawdowns

PULS vs. TBUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PULS drawdown since its inception was -5.85%, which is greater than TBUX's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PULS and TBUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PULS	TBUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.85%	-1.79%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.09%	-0.12%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.34%	-0.33%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-0.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.04%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.09%	-0.28%	+0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.01%	0.03%	-0.02%

Volatility

PULS vs. TBUX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) is 0.11%, while T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) has a volatility of 0.19%. This indicates that PULS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TBUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PULS	TBUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.11%	0.19%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.30%	0.43%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41%	0.67%	-0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.70%	1.07%	-0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.33%	1.07%	+0.26%

PULS vs. TBUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PULS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than TBUX's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PULS vs. TBUX - Dividend Comparison

PULS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than TBUX's 4.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.58%	4.78%	5.62%	5.48%	2.30%	1.19%	1.85%	2.69%	1.87%
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	4.48%	4.67%	5.39%	4.66%	2.58%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PULS and TBUX in my portfolio?

PULS and TBUX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PULS or TBUX?

TBUX has higher volatility (0.19%) compared to PULS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PULS dropped -5.85% vs TBUX's -1.79%.

Which ETF is better, PULS or TBUX?

On 3-year performance, TBUX leads with 5.85% vs 5.61% for PULS. On fees, PULS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PULS or TBUX?

Over the 3-year period, TBUX has performed better with a 5.85% return vs 5.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PULS or TBUX?

PULS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for TBUX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PULS or TBUX?

PULS has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 4.48% for TBUX.

What is the main difference between PULS and TBUX?

They also come from different issuers: PGIM and T. Rowe Price. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for PULS and 0.17% for TBUX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.41 vs 7.13), 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.