PAB vs VTI
PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PAB or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | PAB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $98M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.31% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 436 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.28% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.63% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.39% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.49% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.4%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,757 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 15, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.4 years).
PAB vs VTI 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
PAB vs VTI Performance
PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF (PAB) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PAB returned -0.63% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, PAB is down 1.28% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, PAB compounded at +4.39% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.49% and +11.86% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 6.4% for PAB. 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 -19.3% for PAB and -25.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PAB charges 0.19% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $3 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PAB currently yields 5.31% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 287 holdings in PAB and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 63.0% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 287 positions we hold weights for in PAB and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 436 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PAB and VTI 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, PAB or VTI?
PAB has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PAB or VTI?
Over the past year PAB returned -0.63% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PAB or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 6.4% for PAB. Worst drawdown: PAB -19.3% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both PAB and VTI?
PAB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PAB or VTI?
PAB yields 5.31% while VTI yields 1.03%, so PAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PAB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.