PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF (PBL) belongs to the Diversified Portfolio category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with PBL. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PBL
PBL charges 0.45% annually. There are 21 ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.10%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy E... | 0.10% | 138.08M | Dec 2025 | PBL vs CTAP | |
| iShares Core 30/70 Conservative Allocation ETF | 0.15% | 781.58M | Nov 2008 | PBL vs AOK | |
| iShares Core 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF | 0.15% | 3.19B | Nov 2008 | PBL vs AOA | |
| iShares Core 60/40 Balanced Allocation ETF | 0.15% | 3.64B | Nov 2008 | PBL vs AOR | |
| PIMCO U.S. Stocks PLUS Active Bond ETF | 0.18% | 44.38M | Jan 2026 | PBL vs SPLS |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PBL
PBL has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 70. There are 23 ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 93.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Income Focus ETF | 93 | 1.72B | Jun 2023 | PBL vs INCM | |
| Avantis Moderate Allocation ETF | 88 | 82.33M | Jun 2023 | PBL vs AVMA | |
| iShares Morningstar Multi-Asset Income ETF | 87 | 125.24M | Apr 2012 | PBL vs IYLD | |
| Brookstone Yield ETF | 86 | 43.48M | Sep 2023 | PBL vs BAMY | |
| First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index F... | 86 | 429.28M | Aug 2012 | PBL vs MDIV |
Top Performing PBL Alternatives (YTD)
PBL is at 8.48% YTD. There are 22 ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 29.17%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Core ETF | 29.17% | 16.56M | Nov 2021 | PBL vs RULE | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Efficient Core Fund | 19.84% | 53.61M | May 2021 | PBL vs NTSE | |
| Pacer Trendpilot International ETF | 16.68% | 181.50M | May 2019 | PBL vs PTIN | |
| Invesco Zacks Multi-Asset Income ETF | 16.07% | 124.41M | Sep 2006 | PBL vs CVY | |
| Myriad Dynamic Asset Allocation ETF | 15.83% | 444.94M | Oct 2025 | PBL vs MDAA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PBL
PBL has 9.68% 1-year volatility. There are 33 ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 0.00%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlexShares Real Assets Allocation Index Fund | 0.00% | 7.49M | Nov 2015 | PBL vs ASET | |
| Prospera Income ETF | 2.88% | 2.20M | Sep 2025 | PBL vs THRV | |
| First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | 3.29% | 98.51M | Aug 2014 | PBL vs HISF | |
| Mindful Conservative ETF | 4.32% | 26.13M | Nov 2021 | PBL vs MFUL | |
| Brookstone Yield ETF | 4.45% | 43.48M | Sep 2023 | PBL vs BAMY |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PBL
PBL has a 1-year max drawdown of -5.82%. There are 21 ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -2.48%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookstone Yield ETF | -2.48% | 43.48M | Sep 2023 | PBL vs BAMY | |
| First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | -2.90% | 98.51M | Aug 2014 | PBL vs HISF | |
| Franklin Income Focus ETF | -3.19% | 1.72B | Jun 2023 | PBL vs INCM | |
| Alpha Architect High Inflation And Deflation ETF | -3.31% | 145.17M | Nov 2022 | PBL vs HIDE | |
| Mindful Conservative ETF | -3.36% | 26.13M | Nov 2021 | PBL vs MFUL |
Other ETFs from PGIM
The 10 most viewed PGIM ETFs shown here include PAAA, PULS, PFRL and span 8 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 | 2.76% | 11.25B | Jul 2023 | PBL vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.40% | 18.30B | Apr 2018 | PBL vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 94 | 3.01% | 121.63M | May 2022 | PBL vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF | High Yield Bonds | 65 | 1.74% | 1.39B | Sep 2018 | PBL vs PHYL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 90 | 1.61% | — | Jul 2023 | PBL vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 90 | 7.65% | 223.70M | Jun 2024 | PBL vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 93 | 5.89% | 203.06M | Jun 2024 | PBL vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 90 | 1.58% | 106.99M | Jun 2024 | PBL vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 80 | 2.46% | 173.89M | Dec 2023 | PBL vs PSH | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | Defined Outcome | 99 | 4.00% | — | Mar 2025 | PBL vs PMAP |
Often Compared With PBL
Investors most often compare PBL with DDX, EAOK, SPY. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PBL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PBL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PBL with funds that move differently
PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PBL.
Explore PBL Diversifiers