PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August (PBAU) 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 PBAU. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PBAU
PBAU 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 | PBAU vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBAU vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBAU vs JANB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBAU vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | PBAU vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PBAU
PBAU has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 90. There are 83 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 | PBAU vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBAU vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | PBAU vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | PBAU vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 133.76M | Mar 2021 | PBAU vs XBAP |
Top Performing PBAU Alternatives (YTD)
PBAU is at 4.58% YTD. There are 165 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 | PBAU vs NVDO | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 15.63% | — | Mar 2025 | PBAU vs TMAR | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.48% | — | Jan 2025 | PBAU vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.76% | 216.78M | Mar 2020 | PBAU vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.60% | 563.55M | Mar 2021 | PBAU vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PBAU
PBAU has 4.77% 1-year volatility. There are 88 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 | PBAU vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.21% | — | Apr 2025 | PBAU vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.29% | — | Apr 2025 | PBAU vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBAU vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | PBAU vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PBAU
PBAU has a 1-year max drawdown of -3.29%. There are 86 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 | PBAU vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PBAU vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | PBAU vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PBAU vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.30M | May 2024 | PBAU 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 | PBAU vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 1.90% | 17.34B | Apr 2018 | PBAU vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 92 | 2.31% | 116.68M | May 2022 | PBAU vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 87 | 1.16% | — | Jul 2023 | PBAU vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 88 | 6.33% | 183.97M | Jun 2024 | PBAU vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 88 | 1.42% | 98.37M | Jun 2024 | PBAU vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 74 | 2.25% | 160.90M | Dec 2023 | PBAU vs PSH | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 91 | 4.45% | 154.43M | Jun 2024 | PBAU vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 35 | 0.46% | 1.05B | Dec 2021 | PBAU vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 23 | 2.82% | 150.02M | Dec 2022 | PBAU vs PJFG |
Often Compared With PBAU
Investors most often compare PBAU with PMJL, PMAU, PMFB. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PBAU with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PBAU with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PBAU with funds that move differently
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PBAU.
Explore PBAU Diversifiers