PBLvsVGUSETF Comparison
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PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF (PBL) belongs to the Options Strategies segment. Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) is part of the Money Market Bonds segment. PBL's top 3 sector exposures are Sovereign, Non-Corporate and Technology. In contrast, VGUS's top sector exposures are Sovereign. PBL is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.45%, versus 0.07% for VGUS. PBL is up 9.32% year-to-date (YTD) with -$2M in YTD flows. VGUS performs worse with 2.32% YTD performance, and +$550M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of PBL and VGUS below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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PBL vs VGUS performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 08/31/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | PBL VGUS | +2.49%+0.28% | +1.20%+0.89% | +9.32%+2.32% | +14.73%+3.73% | +48.94%n/a | n/an/a |
| Flows | PBL VGUS | -+$53M | -$2M+$96M | -$2M+$550M | +$2M+$695M | +$37M- | -- |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | PBL VGUS | +9.54%+0.17% | +8.83%+0.15% | +9.17%n/a | n/an/a |
| Max drawdown | PBL VGUS | -3.11%n/a | -5.85%n/a | -11.66%n/a | n/an/a |
| Max drawdown duration | PBL VGUS | 62dn/a | 75dn/a | 200dn/a | n/an/a |
Trading data
PBL | VGUS | |
Last sale 9/1/2026 at 1:30 PM | $33.43 | $75.46 |
| Previous close 09/01/2026 | $33.73 | $75.45 |
| Consolidated volume 09/01/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of August 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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PBL
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexPBL | VGUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 9/1/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
PBL | VGUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $33.43 | $75.46 |
| 1D performance | -0.88% | +0.01% |
| AuM | $79.74 M | $1.08 B |
| E/R | 0.45% | 0.07% |
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Exposure
Countries
PBL
USA
73.54%
Other
26.46%
VGUS
USA
100%
Other
0%
Sectors
PBL
Sovereign
56.66%
Non-Corporate
13.75%
Other
29.6%
VGUS
Sovereign
100%
Other
0%
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Diversification
PBL
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
63.97%
VGUS
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
37.34%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
PBL
USA, Notes 4.125% 31oct2029, USD (AF-2029)
19.84%
USA, Notes 3.625% 30sep2031, USD (Q-2031)
16.25%
PGIM Core Government Money Market Fund
13.74%
USA, Notes 4.125% 31oct2026, USD (BJ-2026)
7.21%
USA, Notes 3.875% 15aug2034, USD (E-2034)
5.14%
NVIDIA Corp.
0.24%
Apple, Inc.
0.24%
Microsoft Corp.
0.17%
USA, Notes 4.625% 15feb2035, USD (B-2035)
0.17%
USA, Notes 4.375% 15may2034, USD (C-2034)
0.16%
USA, Notes 4.25% 15nov2034, USD (F-2034)
0.16%
USA, Notes 4.375% 15may2036, USD (C-2036)
0.16%
USA, Notes 4.125% 15feb2036, USD (B-2036)
0.16%
USA, Notes 4.25% 15may2035, USD (C-2035)
0.16%
USA, Notes 4.25% 15aug2035, USD (E-2035)
0.16%
VGUS
USA, Bills 0% 6aug2026, USD (364D)
4.22%
USA, Bills 0% 3sep2026, USD (364D)
3.35%
USA, Bills 0% 17sep2026, USD (182D)
2.60%
USA, Bills 0% 24sep2026, USD (182D)
2.60%
USA, Bills 0% 13aug2026, USD (182D)
2.59%
USA, Bills 0% 27aug2026, USD (182D)
2.59%
USA, Bills 0% 10sep2026, USD (182D)
2.58%
USA, Bills 0% 20aug2026, USD (182D)
2.53%
USA, Bills 0% 25aug2026, USD (119D)
2.20%
USA, Bills 0% 11aug2026, USD (119D)
2.17%
USA, Bills 0% 18aug2026, USD (119D)
2.13%
USA, Bills 0% 4aug2026, USD (119D)
2.07%
USA, Bills 0% 1oct2026, USD (364D)
1.92%
USA, Bills 0% 24dec2026, USD (363D)
1.91%
USA, Bills 0% 29oct2026, USD (364D)
1.87%
Frequently asked questions about PBL and VGUS
How have the PBL and VGUS ETFs performed in 2026?
As of August 31, 2026, PBL is up 9.32% year-to-date (YTD), while VGUS has returned 2.32%. That puts PBL better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: PBL or VGUS?
Year-to-date, the PBL ETF saw -$2M in flows, compared to +$550M for VGUS.
Which ETF is more volatile: PBL or VGUS?
Over the past year, PBL had a volatility of 8.83%, while VGUS experienced 0.15%.
Which ETF is bigger: PBL or VGUS?
As of August 31, 2026, PBL holds $79.74 M in assets under management (AUM), while VGUS manages $1.08 B.
What sectors do the PBL and VGUS ETFs invest in?
PBL leans toward sectors like Sovereign and Non-Corporate. Meanwhile, VGUS focuses on Sovereign.
What are the top holdings of the PBL ETF and VGUS ETF?
PBL top holdings include USA, Notes 4.125% 31oct2029, USD (AF-2029), USA, Notes 3.625% 30sep2031, USD (Q-2031) and PGIM Core Government Money Market Fund. VGUS holds in its top three: USA, Bills 0% 6aug2026, USD (364D), USA, Bills 0% 3sep2026, USD (364D) and USA, Bills 0% 17sep2026, USD (182D).
Which ETF is more diversified: PBL or VGUS?
PBL holds 609 securities with 63.97% of its assets in the top 15. VGUS has 90 securities and a top 15 weight of 37.34%.
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