RBFFX vs. PNIIX
RBFFX (American Funds The Bond Fund of America) and PNIIX (Principal Bond Market Index Fund) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, RBFFX returned 1.99%/yr vs 1.44%/yr for PNIIX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RBFFX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PNIIX.
Performance
RBFFX vs. PNIIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RBFFX achieves a 0.13% return, which is significantly lower than PNIIX's 0.59% return. Over the past 10 years, RBFFX has outperformed PNIIX with an annualized return of 1.99%, while PNIIX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.44% annualized return.
RBFFX
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 0.91%
- YTD
- 0.13%
- 6M
- 0.59%
- 1Y
- 4.60%
- 3Y*
- 4.01%
- 5Y*
- -0.00%
- 10Y*
- 1.99%
PNIIX
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- 0.82%
- YTD
- 0.59%
- 6M
- 0.59%
- 1Y
- 4.61%
- 3Y*
- 3.93%
- 5Y*
- -0.08%
- 10Y*
- 1.44%
RBFFX vs. PNIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RBFFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America | 0.13% | 7.49% | 1.47% | 4.65% | -13.03% | -0.64% | 11.07% | 8.13% | 0.17% | 3.53% |
PNIIX Principal Bond Market Index Fund | 0.59% | 7.01% | 1.17% | 5.55% | -13.26% | -1.68% | 7.28% | 8.47% | -0.20% | 3.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between RBFFX and PNIIX 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 | 0.93 |
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 Dec 31, 2009 | 0.91 |
The correlation between RBFFX and PNIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
RBFFX vs. PNIIX — Risk / Return Rank
RBFFX
PNIIX
RBFFX vs. PNIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) and Principal Bond Market Index Fund (PNIIX). 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.
| RBFFX | PNIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.22 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.53 | 1.68 | -0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.29 | 4.84 | -0.55 |
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Drawdowns
RBFFX vs. PNIIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RBFFX drawdown since its inception was -17.62%, smaller than the maximum PNIIX drawdown of -18.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBFFX and PNIIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RBFFX | PNIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.62% | -18.76% | +1.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.09% | -2.76% | -0.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -6.25% | +0.14% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.62% | -18.14% | +0.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.62% | -18.76% | +1.14% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.59% | -2.53% | +0.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.81% | -3.44% | +0.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.09% | 0.95% | +0.14% |
Volatility
RBFFX vs. PNIIX - Volatility Comparison
American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) and Principal Bond Market Index Fund (PNIIX) have volatilities of 1.23% and 1.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RBFFX | PNIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.23% | 1.24% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.90% | 2.81% | +0.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.90% | 3.82% | +0.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.97% | 6.32% | -0.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.90% | 5.09% | -0.19% |
RBFFX vs. PNIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
RBFFX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than PNIIX's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
RBFFX vs. PNIIX - Dividend Comparison
RBFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than PNIIX's 3.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PNIIX Principal Bond Market Index Fund | 3.99% | 4.01% | 3.60% | 4.18% | 1.66% | 2.03% | 18.60% | 2.40% | 2.51% | 2.35% | 1.78% | 2.10% |
RBFFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America | 4.45% | 4.43% | 4.61% | 3.53% | 2.42% | 2.31% | 5.34% | 3.76% | 2.67% | 2.14% | 2.07% | 2.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RBFFX and PNIIX 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.
PNIIX has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to RBFFX (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBFFX dropped -17.62% vs PNIIX's -18.76%.
PNIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 1.21), 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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