PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF (PBL) Alternatives
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 funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to PBL
PBL charges 0.45% annually. Among ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among PBL alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy E... | 0.10% | Dec 8, 2025 | PBL vs CTAP | |
| iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF | 0.18% | Jun 12, 2020 | PBL vs EAOA | |
| iShares ESG Aware Moderate Allocation ETF | 0.18% | Jun 12, 2020 | PBL vs EAOM | |
| iShares ESG Aware Growth Allocation ETF | 0.18% | Jun 12, 2020 | PBL vs EAOR | |
| iShares ESG Aware Conservative Allocation ETF | 0.18% | Jun 12, 2020 | PBL vs EAOK |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PBL
Among ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF | 94 | Apr 9, 2018 | PBL vs RAAX | |
| Brookstone Yield ETF | 91 | Sep 27, 2023 | PBL vs BAMY | |
| iShares Morningstar Multi-Asset Income ETF | 91 | Apr 5, 2012 | PBL vs IYLD | |
| Cambria Global Asset Allocation ETF | 90 | Dec 9, 2014 | PBL vs GAA | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Efficient Core Fund | 88 | May 20, 2021 | PBL vs NTSE |
Top Performing PBL Alternatives (YTD)
PBL alternatives from the Diversified Portfolio category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF | 16.55% | Apr 9, 2018 | PBL vs RAAX | |
| Alpha Architect High Inflation And Deflation ETF | 5.63% | Nov 16, 2022 | PBL vs HIDE | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Efficient Core Fund | 5.59% | May 20, 2021 | PBL vs NTSE | |
| Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy E... | 5.36% | Dec 8, 2025 | PBL vs CTAP | |
| UPAR Ultra Risk Parity ETF | 5.18% | Jan 3, 2022 | PBL vs UPAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PBL
PBL alternatives from the Diversified Portfolio category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlexShares Real Assets Allocation Index Fund | 0.00% | Nov 23, 2015 | PBL vs ASET | |
| Arrow DWA Tactical ETF | 0.00% | Oct 1, 2014 | PBL vs DWAT | |
| First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | 3.67% | Aug 13, 2014 | PBL vs HISF | |
| Mindful Conservative ETF | 4.75% | Nov 2, 2021 | PBL vs MFUL | |
| Alpha Architect High Inflation And Deflation ETF | 5.29% | Nov 16, 2022 | PBL vs HIDE |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PBL
PBL alternatives from the Diversified Portfolio category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | -2.90% | Aug 13, 2014 | PBL vs HISF | |
| MKAM ETF | -3.72% | Apr 11, 2023 | PBL vs MKAM | |
| Mindful Conservative ETF | -3.77% | Nov 2, 2021 | PBL vs MFUL | |
| Alpha Architect High Inflation And Deflation ETF | -3.94% | Nov 16, 2022 | PBL vs HIDE | |
| Defined Duration 10 ETF | -4.41% | Sep 21, 2021 | PBL vs DDX |
Other ETFs from PGIM
Most popular PGIM ETFs on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM AAA CLO ETF | CLO | 98 | 0.99% | Jul 19, 2023 | PBL vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 0.89% | Apr 5, 2018 | PBL vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 48 | -0.51% | May 17, 2022 | PBL vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 96 | 0.48% | Jul 19, 2023 | PBL vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 86 | 0.41% | Dec 14, 2023 | PBL vs PSH | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 34 | -12.45% | Dec 12, 2022 | PBL vs PJFG | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 54 | -0.15% | Dec 2, 2021 | PBL vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 75 | -1.34% | Jun 11, 2024 | PBL vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 95 | 0.64% | Jun 24, 2024 | PBL vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 73 | 1.34% | Dec 12, 2022 | PBL vs PJFV |
Often Compared With PBL
What investors most often compare with PBL, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 64 | -4.37% | Jan 22, 1993 | PBL vs SPY | |
| FPA Crescent Fund | Diversified Portfolio | 72 | -3.27% | Jun 1, 1993 | PBL vs FPACX | |
| Q3 All-Season Active Rotation ETF | Diversified Portfolio | 80 | 4.39% | Dec 6, 2022 | PBL vs QVOY | |
| Adaptive Core ETF | Diversified Portfolio | 42 | 3.00% | Nov 2, 2021 | PBL vs RULE | |
| Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF | Diversified Portfolio | 68 | 3.35% | May 8, 2012 | PBL vs GYLD | |
| First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index F... | Diversified Portfolio | 30 | 4.59% | Aug 14, 2012 | PBL vs MDIV |
Compare PBL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PBL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.