PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - December (DECP) belongs to the Defined Outcome category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with DECP. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DECP
DECP charges 0.50% annually. There are 5 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DECP vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DECP vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DECP vs JANB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | DECP vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | DECP vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DECP
DECP has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 81. There are 141 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 99.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | DECP vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DECP vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | DECP vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | DECP vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 133.76M | Mar 2021 | DECP vs XBAP |
Top Performing DECP Alternatives (YTD)
DECP is at 6.39% YTD. There are 91 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 16.35%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage Shares 2x Capped Accelerated NVDA Monthly... | 16.35% | — | Aug 2025 | DECP vs NVDO | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 15.63% | — | Mar 2025 | DECP vs TMAR | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.48% | — | Jan 2025 | DECP vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.76% | 216.78M | Mar 2020 | DECP vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.60% | 563.55M | Mar 2021 | DECP vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DECP
DECP has 8.18% 1-year volatility. There are 217 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.18%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.18% | — | Mar 2025 | DECP vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.21% | — | Apr 2025 | DECP vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.29% | — | Apr 2025 | DECP vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DECP vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | DECP vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DECP
DECP has a 1-year max drawdown of -5.43%. There are 163 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.35% | — | Mar 2025 | DECP vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | DECP vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | DECP vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | DECP vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.30M | May 2024 | DECP vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from PGIM
The 10 most viewed PGIM ETFs shown here include PAAA, PULS, PFRL and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $17B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM AAA CLO ETF | CLO | 99 | 2.24% | 10.61B | Jul 2023 | DECP vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 1.90% | 17.34B | Apr 2018 | DECP vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 92 | 2.31% | 116.68M | May 2022 | DECP vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 87 | 1.16% | — | Jul 2023 | DECP vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 88 | 6.33% | 183.97M | Jun 2024 | DECP vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 88 | 1.42% | 98.37M | Jun 2024 | DECP vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 74 | 2.25% | 160.90M | Dec 2023 | DECP vs PSH | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 91 | 4.45% | 154.43M | Jun 2024 | DECP vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 35 | 0.46% | 1.05B | Dec 2021 | DECP vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 23 | 2.82% | 150.02M | Dec 2022 | DECP vs PJFG |
Often Compared With DECP
Investors most often compare DECP with RBIL, DBE, BNO. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare DECP with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DECP with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DECP with funds that move differently
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - December alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DECP.
Explore DECP Diversifiers