PBL vs VTI
PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PBL or VTI?
Debt-oriented balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | PBL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $79M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.02% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 13 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.35% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.71% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.46% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.9%Best | 12.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.8%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $15,336 | $19,924Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Debt-oriented balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.8 years).
PBL 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
PBL vs VTI Performance
PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF (PBL) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PBL returned +8.71% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, PBL is up 8.35% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, PBL compounded at +13.46% per year against +21.01% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +19.89% annualized vs +11.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 8.9% for PBL. 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 -11.8% for PBL and -19.3% 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PBL charges 0.45% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PBL currently yields 2.02% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 7 holdings in PBL and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 61.0% and 98.1% 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 7 positions we hold weights for in PBL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 13 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PBL 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, PBL or VTI?
PBL has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PBL or VTI?
Over the past year PBL returned +8.71% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), PBL annualized +11.91% vs +19.89% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PBL or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 8.9% for PBL. Worst drawdown: PBL -11.8% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both PBL and VTI?
PBL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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, PBL or VTI?
PBL yields 2.02% while VTI yields 1.03%, so PBL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PBL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.