PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) 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 PQJA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PQJA
PQJA 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 | PQJA vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PQJA vs JANB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PQJA vs OCTB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PQJA vs JULB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | PQJA vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PQJA
PQJA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 80. There are 157 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 | PQJA vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PQJA vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | PQJA vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | PQJA vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | PQJA vs XBAP |
Top Performing PQJA Alternatives (YTD)
PQJA is at 8.11% YTD. There are 41 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 | PQJA vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.34% | — | Jan 2025 | PQJA vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.71% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | PQJA vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.33% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | PQJA vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.15% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | PQJA vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PQJA
PQJA has 8.63% 1-year volatility. There are 233 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.16%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.16% | — | Mar 2025 | PQJA vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | PQJA vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | PQJA vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PQJA vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | PQJA vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PQJA
PQJA has a 1-year max drawdown of -6.77%. There are 216 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 | PQJA vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PQJA vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | PQJA vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PQJA vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | PQJA 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 | 2.53% | 10.35B | Jul 2023 | PQJA vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.13% | 17.62B | Apr 2018 | PQJA vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 93 | 2.81% | 118.91M | May 2022 | PQJA vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 91 | 1.30% | — | Jul 2023 | PQJA vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 87 | 6.76% | 213.82M | Jun 2024 | PQJA vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 92 | 5.10% | 194.07M | Jun 2024 | PQJA vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 92 | 1.60% | 102.00M | Jun 2024 | PQJA vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 79 | 2.28% | 167.88M | Dec 2023 | PQJA vs PSH | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 35 | -0.07% | 1.07B | Dec 2021 | PQJA vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 21 | 4.27% | 148.08M | Dec 2022 | PQJA vs PJFG |
Often Compared With PQJA
Investors most often compare PQJA with PQAP, SPBW, TWOX. These 20 comparison targets span 4 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PQJA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PQJA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PQJA with funds that move differently
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PQJA.
Explore PQJA Diversifiers