VTINX vs. PTRQX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VTINX (Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund) and PTRQX (PGIM Total Return Bond R6) are both mutual funds - VTINX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while PTRQX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by PGIM. Over the past 10 years, VTINX returned 5.01%/yr vs 2.20%/yr for PTRQX. Their 0.35 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VTINX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for PTRQX.

Performance

VTINX vs. PTRQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTINX achieves a 3.59% return, which is significantly higher than PTRQX's -0.45% return. Over the past 10 years, VTINX has outperformed PTRQX with an annualized return of 5.01%, while PTRQX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.20% annualized return.

VTINX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: -0.49%
• 6M: 2.34%
• YTD: 3.59%
• 1Y: 8.49%
• 3Y*: 8.36%
• 5Y*: 3.66%
• 10Y*: 5.01%
• ALL TIME*: 5.18%

PTRQX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -1.25%
• 6M: -0.75%
• YTD: -0.45%
• 1Y: 2.41%
• 3Y*: 4.82%
• 5Y*: 0.23%
• 10Y*: 2.20%
• ALL TIME*: 3.43%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VTINX vs. PTRQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	3.59%	11.31%	6.66%	10.66%	-12.75%	5.24%	10.02%	13.16%	-1.98%	7.46%
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	-0.45%	7.81%	3.06%	7.80%	-14.30%	-1.37%	8.13%	10.85%	-0.73%	6.67%

Correlation

The correlation between VTINX and PTRQX is 0.59, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2011	0.35

Over the past year, VTINX and PTRQX have become more correlated (0.59) than their long-term average of 0.35, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VTINX vs. PTRQX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VTINX

VTINX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTINX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTINX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

PTRQX

PTRQX Risk / Return Rank: 26
PTRQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PTRQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
PTRQX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PTRQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
PTRQX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VTINX vs. PTRQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX). 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.

	VTINX	PTRQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	0.90	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	1.35	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.16	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	1.20	+0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.36	3.07	+5.29

VTINX vs. PTRQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTINX Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is higher than the PTRQX Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTINX and PTRQX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VTINX vs. PTRQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTINX drawdown since its inception was -19.96%, roughly equal to the maximum PTRQX drawdown of -20.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTINX and PTRQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTINX	PTRQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-20.72%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.14%	-3.08%	-1.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.28%	-4.82%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.02%	-20.64%	+3.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.02%	-20.72%	+3.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.05%	-2.45%	+1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-3.27%	+1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.00%	1.20%	-0.20%

Volatility

VTINX vs. PTRQX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) has a higher volatility of 1.66% compared to PGIM Total Return Bond R6 (PTRQX) at 0.97%. This indicates that VTINX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTRQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTINX	PTRQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.66%	0.97%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.61%	3.34%	+1.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.38%	4.13%	+1.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.16%	6.01%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.76%	5.25%	+0.51%

VTINX vs. PTRQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTINX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than PTRQX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTINX vs. PTRQX - Dividend Comparison

VTINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.73%, more than PTRQX's 4.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTRQX PGIM Total Return Bond R6	4.31%	4.63%	4.89%	4.70%	5.83%	2.82%	3.05%	6.95%	3.99%	2.93%	4.01%	3.11%
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	4.73%	5.02%	5.89%	4.01%	3.08%	8.63%	3.42%	2.62%	4.19%	1.56%	2.27%	3.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTINX and PTRQX in my portfolio?

VTINX and PTRQX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTINX or PTRQX?

VTINX has higher volatility (1.66%) compared to PTRQX (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTINX dropped -19.96% vs PTRQX's -20.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 0.90), 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.