VTIVX vs. PTTRX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTIVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund) and PTTRX (PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - VTIVX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while PTTRX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, VTIVX returned 11.31%/yr vs 2.29%/yr for PTTRX. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. VTIVX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for PTTRX.

Performance

VTIVX vs. PTTRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX) and PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTIVX achieves a 8.87% return, which is significantly higher than PTTRX's 0.64% return. Over the past 10 years, VTIVX has outperformed PTTRX with an annualized return of 11.31%, while PTTRX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.29% annualized return.

VTIVX

• 1D: 2.05%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 8.87%
• 6M: 9.59%
• 1Y: 21.67%
• 3Y*: 17.25%
• 5Y*: 8.91%
• 10Y*: 11.31%

PTTRX

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 1.49%
• 1Y: 6.46%
• 3Y*: 5.45%
• 5Y*: 0.58%
• 10Y*: 2.29%

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

VTIVX vs. PTTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTIVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund	8.87%	20.01%	13.68%	19.72%	-17.38%	16.16%	16.31%	24.94%	-7.89%	19.16%
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	0.64%	9.35%	2.62%	6.33%	-14.72%	-0.59%	8.88%	8.36%	-0.24%	5.13%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIVX and PTTRX is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2003	-0.03

The correlation between VTIVX and PTTRX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (all time) to 0.42 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTIVX vs. PTTRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTIVX

VTIVX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VTIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VTIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VTIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

PTTRX

PTTRX Risk / Return Rank: 38
PTTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PTTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
PTTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
PTTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
PTTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

VTIVX vs. PTTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX) and PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX). 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.

	VTIVX	PTTRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.47	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	2.17	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.27	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	1.83	+0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.59	5.48	+6.12

VTIVX vs. PTTRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the PTTRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIVX and PTTRX, 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

VTIVX vs. PTTRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIVX drawdown since its inception was -51.69%, which is greater than PTTRX's maximum drawdown of -19.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIVX and PTTRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIVX	PTTRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.69%	-19.28%	-32.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.30%	-3.69%	-4.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.40%	-6.18%	-7.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.10%	-19.28%	-5.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.42%	-19.28%	-12.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.00%	-1.49%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.33%	-2.19%	-4.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.23%	+0.69%

Volatility

VTIVX vs. PTTRX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX) has a higher volatility of 4.51% compared to PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) at 1.77%. This indicates that VTIVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTTRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTIVX	PTTRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	1.77%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.13%	3.61%	+5.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.10%	4.63%	+6.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.58%	6.28%	+7.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.82%	5.23%	+9.59%

VTIVX vs. PTTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIVX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than PTTRX's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTIVX vs. PTTRX - Dividend Comparison

VTIVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.29%, less than PTTRX's 4.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTTRX PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class	4.54%	4.47%	4.61%	3.81%	3.63%	2.59%	6.11%	3.96%	3.13%	2.63%	3.02%	6.64%
VTIVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund	2.29%	2.50%	2.36%	2.27%	2.75%	15.40%	1.90%	2.23%	2.52%	0.04%	2.47%	3.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIVX and PTTRX in my portfolio?

VTIVX and PTTRX have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTIVX or PTTRX?

VTIVX has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to PTTRX (1.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIVX dropped -51.69% vs PTTRX's -19.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.47), 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.