VUSFX vs. PTTRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VUSFX (Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares) and PTTRX (PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class) are both Total Bond Market funds. Over the past 10 years, VUSFX returned 2.71%/yr vs 2.31%/yr for PTTRX. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VUSFX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for PTTRX.

Performance

VUSFX vs. PTTRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX) 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, VUSFX achieves a 1.42% return, which is significantly higher than PTTRX's 0.64% return. Over the past 10 years, VUSFX has outperformed PTTRX with an annualized return of 2.71%, while PTTRX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.31% annualized return.

VUSFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.42%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.44%
• 5Y*: 3.50%
• 10Y*: 2.71%

PTTRX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.81%
• 1Y: 7.46%
• 3Y*: 5.45%
• 5Y*: 0.76%
• 10Y*: 2.31%

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

VUSFX vs. PTTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUSFX Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares	1.42%	5.11%	6.11%	5.53%	-0.38%	0.08%	2.10%	3.39%	2.10%	1.37%
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 VUSFX and PTTRX is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.47

The correlation between VUSFX and PTTRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (all time) to 0.61 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VUSFX vs. PTTRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSFX

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

PTTRX

PTTRX Risk / Return Rank: 30
PTTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
PTTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
PTTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
PTTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
PTTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

VUSFX vs. PTTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX) 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.

	VUSFX	PTTRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.69	1.59	+6.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	15.39	2.34	+13.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	4.69	1.29	+3.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	18.20	2.00	+16.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	108.57	6.20	+102.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VUSFX vs. PTTRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUSFX Sharpe Ratio is 7.69, which is higher than the PTTRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUSFX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VUSFX	PTTRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.69	1.59	+6.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	4.35	0.12	+4.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	4.00	0.44	+3.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	4.00	1.15	+2.85

Drawdowns

VUSFX vs. PTTRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSFX drawdown since its inception was -1.71%, smaller than the maximum PTTRX drawdown of -19.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSFX and PTTRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSFX	PTTRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.71%	-19.28%	+17.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.25%	-3.69%	+3.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.35%	-6.18%	+5.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.71%	-19.28%	+17.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-1.71%	-19.28%	+17.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.49%	+1.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.15%	-2.19%	+2.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.04%	1.19%	-1.15%

Volatility

VUSFX vs. PTTRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX) is 0.13%, while PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class (PTTRX) has a volatility of 1.81%. This indicates that VUSFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PTTRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUSFX	PTTRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.13%	1.81%	-1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.41%	3.54%	-3.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59%	4.66%	-4.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.81%	6.27%	-5.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.68%	5.23%	-4.55%

VUSFX vs. PTTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSFX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than PTTRX's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUSFX vs. PTTRX - Dividend Comparison

VUSFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, which matches 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%
VUSFX Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.53%	4.73%	5.52%	4.15%	1.38%	0.53%	1.62%	2.68%	2.23%	1.52%	1.07%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUSFX and PTTRX in my portfolio?

VUSFX and PTTRX have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VUSFX or PTTRX?

PTTRX has higher volatility (1.81%) compared to VUSFX (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUSFX dropped -1.71% vs PTTRX's -19.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUSFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.69 vs 1.59), 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.