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% | 177.84M | Dec 2025 | PBL vs CTAP | |
| iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF | 0.18% | 37.39M | Jun 2020 | PBL vs EAOA | |
| iShares ESG Aware Conservative Allocation ETF | 0.18% | 9.22M | Jun 2020 | PBL vs EAOK | |
| iShares ESG Aware Moderate Allocation ETF | 0.18% | 8.63M | Jun 2020 | PBL vs EAOM | |
| iShares ESG Aware Growth Allocation ETF | 0.18% | 32.15M | Jun 2020 | PBL vs EAOR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PBL
PBL has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 68. There are 21 ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 89.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Income Focus ETF | 89 | 1.54B | Jun 2023 | PBL vs INCM | |
| Draco Evolution AI ETF | 87 | 20.72M | Jul 2024 | PBL vs DRAI | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Efficient Core Fund | 87 | 53.56M | May 2021 | PBL vs NTSE | |
| VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF | 85 | 969.68M | Apr 2018 | PBL vs RAAX | |
| Cabana Target Leading Sector Moderate ETF | 82 | 114.31M | Jul 2021 | PBL vs CLSM |
Top Performing PBL Alternatives (YTD)
PBL is at 7.85% YTD. There are 28 ETFs in the Diversified Portfolio category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 45.39%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Core ETF | 45.39% | 12.20M | Nov 2021 | PBL vs RULE | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Efficient Core Fund | 32.02% | 53.56M | May 2021 | PBL vs NTSE | |
| Myriad Dynamic Asset Allocation ETF | 22.13% | — | Oct 2025 | PBL vs MDAA | |
| Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy E... | 21.95% | 177.84M | Dec 2025 | PBL vs CTAP | |
| Cabana Target Leading Sector Moderate ETF | 20.45% | 114.31M | Jul 2021 | PBL vs CLSM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PBL
PBL has 8.87% 1-year volatility. There are 31 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 | 2.92% | 2.20M | Sep 2025 | PBL vs THRV | |
| First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | 3.32% | 95.53M | Aug 2014 | PBL vs HISF | |
| Mindful Conservative ETF | 3.93% | 26.13M | Nov 2021 | PBL vs MFUL | |
| Alpha Architect High Inflation And Deflation ETF | 4.43% | 100.05M | Nov 2022 | PBL vs HIDE |
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 -2.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Architect High Inflation And Deflation ETF | -2.31% | 100.05M | Nov 2022 | PBL vs HIDE | |
| Brookstone Yield ETF | -2.48% | 45.58M | Sep 2023 | PBL vs BAMY | |
| First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | -2.90% | 95.53M | Aug 2014 | PBL vs HISF | |
| Franklin Income Focus ETF | -3.19% | 1.54B | Jun 2023 | PBL vs INCM | |
| 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 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $16B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM AAA CLO ETF | CLO | 99 | 2.03% | 10.16B | Jul 2023 | PBL vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.73% | 16.31B | Apr 2018 | PBL vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 91 | 1.96% | 116.67M | May 2022 | PBL vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 89 | 1.23% | — | Jul 2023 | PBL vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 88 | 1.32% | 97.02M | Jun 2024 | PBL vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 86 | 6.23% | 183.97M | Jun 2024 | PBL vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 71 | 1.88% | 161.26M | Dec 2023 | PBL vs PSH | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 90 | 4.52% | 154.43M | Jun 2024 | PBL vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 40 | 0.34% | 978.28M | Dec 2021 | PBL vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 28 | 6.64% | 154.47M | Dec 2022 | PBL vs PJFG |
Often Compared With PBL
Investors most often compare PBL with SPY, FPACX, DDX. These 20 comparison targets span 6 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