PAB vs RFCI
PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF vs ALPS Dynamic Core Income ETF
Which is better, PAB or RFCI?
Nearly the same fund. PAB costs less.
PAB has a lower expense ratio. PAB led over 3Y, RFCI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | RFCI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19%Best | 0.51% |
| AUM | $98M | $13M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.50% | 4.76% |
| Holdings | 466 | 48 |
| YTD Return | -2.03% | -1.66%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.81% | -1.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.98%Best | +4.92% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.45% | +1.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.4% | 5.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3% | -11.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,777 | $10,573Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2021 | Jun 13, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 15, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.5 years).
PAB vs RFCI 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
PAB vs RFCI Performance
PGIM Active Aggregate Bond ETF (PAB) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and ALPS Dynamic Core Income ETF (RFCI) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year PAB returned -1.81% while RFCI returned -1.45%. Year to date, PAB is down 2.03% versus a loss of 1.66% for RFCI.
Over three years, PAB compounded at +4.98% per year against +4.92% for RFCI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.45% and +1.12% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, RFCI has the edge at +1.21% annualized vs -0.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.4% compared with 5.1% for RFCI. 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 -11.6% for RFCI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PAB charges 0.19% per year while RFCI charges 0.51%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $51 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PAB currently yields 5.50% against 4.76% for RFCI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 301 holdings in PAB and 37 in RFCI, totalling 64.9% and 83.6% 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, 3 positions appear in both.
3 positions in common, counted across the 301 positions we hold weights for in PAB and 37 in RFCI, against full books of 466 and 48.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PAB | Weight in RFCI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| T 4 11/15/52United States Treasury Note/Bond | 0.11% | 4.11% | 4.00% |
| H 5.75 04/23/30Hyatt Hotels Corp | 0.13% | 3.36% | 3.23% |
| MPLX 5 01/15/33Mplx Lp 5% Jan 15, 2033 | 0.06% | 1.12% | 1.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PAB and RFCI 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 RFCI?
PAB has an expense ratio of 0.19% while RFCI charges 0.51%. PAB is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PAB or RFCI?
Over the past year PAB returned -1.81% vs -1.45% for RFCI, so RFCI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), PAB annualized -0.23% vs +1.21% for RFCI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PAB or RFCI?
PAB has been the more volatile fund at 6.4% annualized versus 5.1% for RFCI. Worst drawdown: PAB -19.3% vs RFCI -11.6%.
Should I hold both PAB and RFCI?
PAB and RFCI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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, PAB or RFCI?
PAB yields 5.50% while RFCI yields 4.76%, so PAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFCI better than PAB?
PAB has a lower expense ratio. PAB led over 3Y, RFCI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.