PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - July (PBJL) 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 PBJL. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PBJL
PBJL 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 April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBJL vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBJL vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBJL vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PBJL vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | PBJL vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PBJL
PBJL has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 90. There are 92 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 | PBJL vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.50M | Apr 2025 | PBJL vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | PBJL vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | PBJL vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 131.30M | Mar 2021 | PBJL vs XBAP |
Top Performing PBJL Alternatives (YTD)
PBJL is at 4.62% YTD. There are 180 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 | PBJL vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 14.25% | — | Jan 2025 | PBJL vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.49% | 214.71M | Mar 2020 | PBJL vs KAPR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 13.19% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | PBJL vs QB | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - March | 12.40% | — | Feb 2025 | PBJL vs KMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PBJL
PBJL has 4.19% 1-year volatility. There are 80 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.15% | — | Mar 2025 | PBJL vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.26% | — | Apr 2025 | PBJL vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.33% | — | Apr 2025 | PBJL vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.50M | Apr 2025 | PBJL vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.44% | — | Mar 2025 | PBJL vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PBJL
PBJL has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.88%. There are 88 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 | PBJL vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.50M | Apr 2025 | PBJL vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | PBJL vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PBJL vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.50M | May 2024 | PBJL 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 $18B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM AAA CLO ETF | CLO | 99 | 2.63% | 10.62B | Jul 2023 | PBJL vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.24% | 17.64B | Apr 2018 | PBJL vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 93 | 2.81% | 121.61M | May 2022 | PBJL vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 91 | 1.42% | — | Jul 2023 | PBJL vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 87 | 6.96% | 215.63M | Jun 2024 | PBJL vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 92 | 5.24% | 196.55M | Jun 2024 | PBJL vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 93 | 1.58% | 104.55M | Jun 2024 | PBJL vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 84 | 2.63% | 169.22M | Dec 2023 | PBJL vs PSH | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 34 | -0.04% | 1.09B | Dec 2021 | PBJL vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 21 | 3.76% | 139.33M | Dec 2022 | PBJL vs PJFG |
Often Compared With PBJL
Investors most often compare PBJL with BNO, LJUL, TWOX. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PBJL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PBJL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PBJL with funds that move differently
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - July alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PBJL.
Explore PBJL Diversifiers