CGBL vs PDT
Capital Group Core Balanced ETF vs John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
Which is better, CGBL or PDT?
Each has led over a different period.
CGBL has a lower expense ratio. CGBL led over 1Y, PDT over 3Y 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 | CGBL | PDT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.33%Best | 2.41% |
| AUM | $7.8B | $656M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.94% | 7.68% |
| Holdings | 155 | 154 |
| YTD Return | +4.99%Best | -2.10% |
| 1Y Return | +7.78%Best | -4.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55% | +16.15%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +0.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.2%Best | 12.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.7%Best | -19.4% |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $15,504 | $15,516Best |
| Fund Family | Capital Group (US) | John Hancock Investment Management |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Equity-oriented Balanced |
| Inception | Sep 26, 2023 | Dec 21, 1989 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3 years).
CGBL vs PDT 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 years both funds cover.
CGBL vs PDT Performance
Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL) is an ETF from Capital Group (US) and John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT) is an ETF from John Hancock Investment Management. Over the past year CGBL returned +7.78% while PDT returned -4.22%. Year to date, CGBL is up 4.99% versus a loss of 2.10% for PDT.
Over three years, CGBL compounded at +15.55% per year against +16.15% for PDT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 9.2% for CGBL. 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 -11.7% for CGBL and -19.4% for PDT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CGBL charges 0.33% per year while PDT charges 2.41%. On a $10,000 position that is $33 vs $241 annually, a gap of $208 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CGBL currently yields 1.94% against 7.68% for PDT.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.8% of CGBL's money is in holdings PDT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PDT, our book for it covers 81.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
CGBL and PDT share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, CGBL as of Oct 3, 2026 and PDT as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in CGBL and 120 in PDT, against full books of 155 and 154.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CGBL and PDT 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, CGBL or PDT?
CGBL has an expense ratio of 0.33% while PDT charges 2.41%. CGBL is the cheaper option, by $208 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CGBL or PDT?
Over the past year CGBL returned +7.78% vs -4.22% for PDT, so CGBL leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CGBL or PDT?
PDT has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 9.2% for CGBL. Worst drawdown: CGBL -11.7% vs PDT -19.4%.
Should I hold both CGBL and PDT?
CGBL and PDT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CGBL and PDT?
At least 3.8% of CGBL's money is in holdings PDT also owns. Our book for PDT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in CGBL and 120 in PDT.
Which pays a higher dividend, CGBL or PDT?
CGBL yields 1.94% while PDT yields 7.68%, so PDT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PDT better than CGBL?
CGBL has a lower expense ratio. CGBL led over 1Y, PDT over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.