FLCB vs PTRB
Franklin US Core Bond ETF vs PGIM Total Return Bond ETF
Which is better, FLCB or PTRB?
Nearly the same fund. FLCB costs less.
FLCB has a lower expense ratio. PTRB led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FLCB | PTRB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.49% |
| AUM | $3.1B | $1.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.50% | 5.75% |
| Holdings | 642 | 2,659 |
| YTD Return | -1.62%Best | -1.73% |
| 1Y Return | -1.54% | -1.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.77% | +5.34%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.46% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.5%Best | 7.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.5%Best | -19.2% |
| $10,000 over 4.9 years | $9,767 | $9,898Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Sep 17, 2019 | Dec 2, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 8, 2021 to Oct 15, 2026 (4.9 years).
FLCB vs PTRB growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.9 years both funds cover.
FLCB vs PTRB Performance
Franklin US Core Bond ETF (FLCB) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year FLCB returned -1.54% while PTRB returned -1.48%. Year to date, FLCB is down 1.62% versus a loss of 1.73% for PTRB.
Over three years, FLCB compounded at +4.77% per year against +5.34% for PTRB.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PTRB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.1% compared with 6.5% for FLCB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -17.5% for FLCB and -19.2% for PTRB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLCB charges 0.15% per year while PTRB charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $49 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLCB currently yields 4.50% against 5.75% for PTRB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 342 holdings in FLCB and 675 in PTRB, totalling 61.0% and 52.1% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 40 positions appear in both.
40 positions in common, counted across the 342 positions we hold weights for in FLCB and 675 in PTRB, against full books of 642 and 2,659.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLCB | Weight in PTRB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNCL 5.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 2050-10-01 | 2.03% | 2.12% | 0.09% |
| FNCL 5 10/11Fncl 5 10/26 | 1.70% | 0.17% | 1.53% |
| FNCL 4.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac Tba 4.50% Due 04/01/2056 | 1.41% | 0.16% | 1.25% |
| T 3 02/15/49Government Of The United States Of America 3.0% 15-Feb-2049 | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.00% |
| FNCL 3.5 10/11Fnma Tba 10/01/2049 | 1.10% | 0.34% | 0.76% |
| T 3 11/15/44Treasury Bond 3.00% 11/15/2044 | 0.75% | 0.34% | 0.41% |
| FNCL 2.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 2.5 | 0.88% | 0.14% | 0.74% |
| T 2.25 08/15/49U.s. Treasury Bonds 2.25 08/15/2049 | 0.41% | 0.43% | 0.02% |
| MS V1.794 02/13/32 MMorgan Stanley Mtn 1.79% Feb 13, 2032 | 0.12% | 0.43% | 0.31% |
| MARS 5.2 03/01/35 14Mars Inc 144A 5.2% Mar 01, 2035 | 0.22% | 0.20% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLCB and PTRB you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FLCB or PTRB?
FLCB has an expense ratio of 0.15% while PTRB charges 0.49%. FLCB is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLCB or PTRB?
Over the past year FLCB returned -1.54% vs -1.48% for PTRB, so PTRB leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLCB or PTRB?
PTRB has been the more volatile fund at 7.1% annualized versus 6.5% for FLCB. Worst drawdown: FLCB -17.5% vs PTRB -19.2%.
Should I hold both FLCB and PTRB?
FLCB and PTRB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLCB or PTRB?
FLCB yields 4.50% while PTRB yields 5.75%, so PTRB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PTRB better than FLCB?
FLCB has a lower expense ratio. PTRB led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.