PULS vs. VBK
PULS (PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PULS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by PGIM, while VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. PULS is actively managed, while VBK is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PULS returned 4.14%/yr vs 4.87%/yr for VBK. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PULS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.
Performance
PULS vs. VBK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PULS achieves a 1.88% return, which is significantly lower than VBK's 16.25% return.
PULS
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.38%
- YTD
- 1.88%
- 6M
- 2.10%
- 1Y
- 4.67%
- 3Y*
- 5.59%
- 5Y*
- 4.14%
- 10Y*
- —
VBK
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- 3.93%
- YTD
- 16.25%
- 6M
- 14.67%
- 1Y
- 31.85%
- 3Y*
- 16.10%
- 5Y*
- 4.87%
- 10Y*
- 11.82%
PULS vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | 1.88% | 4.97% | 6.12% | 6.26% | 1.52% | 0.48% | 1.47% | 2.97% | 1.71% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 16.25% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -6.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between PULS and VBK is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2018 | 0.09 |
The correlation between PULS and VBK shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.27 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PULS vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank
PULS
VBK
PULS vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.
| PULS | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +9.91 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +30.82 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 7.59 | 1.26 | +6.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 52.47 | 2.62 | +49.85 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 317.38 | 9.82 | +307.56 |
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Drawdowns
PULS vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PULS drawdown since its inception was -5.85%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PULS and VBK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PULS | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.85% | -58.68% | +52.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.09% | -11.44% | +11.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.34% | -27.54% | +27.20% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -0.79% | -38.39% | +37.60% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -38.70% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -2.04% | +2.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.09% | -10.14% | +10.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.01% | 3.05% | -3.04% |
Volatility
PULS vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) is 0.11%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 7.31%. This indicates that PULS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PULS | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.11% | 7.31% | -7.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.30% | 15.61% | -15.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41% | 19.96% | -19.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.70% | 23.59% | -22.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.33% | 22.92% | -21.59% |
PULS vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison
PULS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.05% expense ratio. However, 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. VBK - Dividend Comparison
PULS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than VBK's 0.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | 4.57% | 4.78% | 5.62% | 5.48% | 2.30% | 1.19% | 1.85% | 2.69% | 1.87% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.45% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.68% | 0.55% | 0.36% | 0.44% | 0.57% | 0.79% | 0.82% | 1.08% | 0.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PULS and VBK have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBK has higher volatility (7.31%) compared to PULS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PULS dropped -5.85% vs VBK's -58.68%.
On 5-year performance, VBK leads with 4.87% vs 4.14% for PULS. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, PULS has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VBK has performed better with a 4.87% return vs 4.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for PULS.
PULS has the higher dividend yield at 4.57%, compared with 0.45% for VBK.
PULS is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while VBK is Small Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for PULS and 0.05% for VBK.
PULS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.41 vs 1.50), 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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