PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE) 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 PMDE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PMDE
PMDE 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 | PMDE vs APRB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PMDE vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PMDE vs JULB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PMDE vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | PMDE vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PMDE
Among 245 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 99.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | PMDE vs PMAP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | PMDE vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PMDE vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | PMDE vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | PMDE vs XBAP |
Top Performing PMDE Alternatives (YTD)
PMDE is at 3.12% YTD. There are 228 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 | PMDE vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.70% | — | Jan 2025 | PMDE vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 13.15% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | PMDE vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | PMDE vs QMAR | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.87% | — | Mar 2025 | PMDE vs TMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PMDE
PMDE has 2.40% 1-year volatility. There are 48 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 | PMDE vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | PMDE vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | PMDE vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PMDE vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.41% | — | Mar 2025 | PMDE vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PMDE
Among 245 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.35% | — | Mar 2025 | PMDE vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PMDE vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | PMDE vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PMDE vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | PMDE 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 | 2.51% | 10.35B | Jul 2023 | PMDE vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.11% | 17.62B | Apr 2018 | PMDE vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 93 | 2.77% | 118.91M | May 2022 | PMDE vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 91 | 1.45% | — | Jul 2023 | PMDE vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 88 | 7.12% | 213.82M | Jun 2024 | PMDE vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 92 | 5.34% | 194.07M | Jun 2024 | PMDE vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 92 | 1.62% | 102.00M | Jun 2024 | PMDE vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 82 | 2.53% | 167.88M | Dec 2023 | PMDE vs PSH | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 34 | 0.27% | 1.07B | Dec 2021 | PMDE vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 22 | 5.68% | 148.08M | Dec 2022 | PMDE vs PJFG |
Often Compared With PMDE
Investors most often compare PMDE with QBER, TAPR, AMZY. These 20 comparison targets span 2 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PMDE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PMDE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PMDE with funds that move differently
PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PMDE.
Explore PMDE Diversifiers