VWIUX vs. PULS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VWIUX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) and PULS (PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF) are both funds - VWIUX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while PULS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by PGIM. Over the past 5 years, VWIUX returned 1.69%/yr vs 4.12%/yr for PULS. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VWIUX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PULS.

Performance

VWIUX vs. PULS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWIUX) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWIUX achieves a 1.26% return, which is significantly lower than PULS's 1.75% return.

VWIUX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 6.74%
• 3Y*: 4.53%
• 5Y*: 1.69%
• 10Y*: 2.47%

PULS

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 1.75%
• 6M: 2.12%
• 1Y: 4.67%
• 3Y*: 5.59%
• 5Y*: 4.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

VWIUX vs. PULS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VWIUX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.26%	5.99%	2.34%	5.90%	-6.83%	0.81%	5.23%	7.10%	2.59%
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.75%	4.97%	6.12%	6.26%	1.52%	0.48%	1.47%	2.97%	1.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VWIUX and PULS is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2018	0.18

The correlation between VWIUX and PULS shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWIUX vs. PULS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWIUX	PULS
Financial Services	0.1%	1.5%
Technology	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VWIUX vs. PULS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWIUX

VWIUX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VWIUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
VWIUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VWIUX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VWIUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VWIUX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

PULS

PULS Risk / Return Rank: 100
PULS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

VWIUX vs. PULS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWIUX) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). 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.

	VWIUX	PULS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.95	11.37	-8.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.73	32.77	-28.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.79	7.56	-5.77
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	52.23	-49.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.71	318.30	-310.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWIUX vs. PULS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWIUX Sharpe Ratio is 2.95, which is lower than the PULS Sharpe Ratio of 11.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWIUX and PULS, 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

	VWIUX	PULS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.95	11.37	-8.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	5.92	-5.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.13	2.51	-1.38

Drawdowns

VWIUX vs. PULS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWIUX drawdown since its inception was -11.38%, which is greater than PULS's maximum drawdown of -5.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWIUX and PULS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWIUX	PULS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.38%	-5.85%	-5.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.99%	-0.09%	-2.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.40%	-0.34%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.38%	-0.79%	-10.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	0.00%	-0.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.44%	-0.09%	-1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.01%	+0.89%

Volatility

VWIUX vs. PULS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWIUX) has a higher volatility of 0.88% compared to PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) at 0.11%. This indicates that VWIUX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PULS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWIUX	PULS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	0.11%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.86%	0.30%	+1.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35%	0.41%	+1.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.27%	0.70%	+2.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.43%	1.33%	+2.10%

VWIUX vs. PULS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWIUX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than PULS's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VWIUX vs. PULS - Dividend Comparison

VWIUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, less than PULS's 4.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.58%	4.78%	5.62%	5.48%	2.30%	1.19%	1.85%	2.69%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWIUX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.33%	4.06%	3.63%	2.78%	2.51%	1.89%	2.40%	2.88%	2.89%	2.82%	2.91%	2.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWIUX and PULS in my portfolio?

VWIUX and PULS have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWIUX or PULS?

VWIUX has higher volatility (0.88%) compared to PULS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWIUX dropped -11.38% vs PULS's -5.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.37 vs 2.95), 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.