PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October (PQOC) 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 PQOC. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PQOC
PQOC 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 | PQOC vs APRB | |
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PQOC vs JULB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PQOC vs OCTB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | PQOC vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | PQOC vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PQOC
PQOC has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 71. There are 164 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 | PQOC vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PQOC vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | PQOC vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | PQOC vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 133.76M | Mar 2021 | PQOC vs XBAP |
Top Performing PQOC Alternatives (YTD)
PQOC is at 7.96% YTD. There are 29 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 | PQOC vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.02% | — | Jan 2025 | PQOC vs KFEB | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 12.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PQOC vs TMAR | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.34% | 216.78M | Mar 2020 | PQOC vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 11.40% | 563.55M | Mar 2021 | PQOC vs QMAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PQOC
PQOC has 8.83% 1-year volatility. There are 228 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.18%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.18% | — | Mar 2025 | PQOC vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.22% | — | Apr 2025 | PQOC vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.30% | — | Apr 2025 | PQOC vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.36% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PQOC vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.43% | — | Mar 2025 | PQOC vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PQOC
PQOC has a 1-year max drawdown of -6.68%. There are 193 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 | PQOC vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | PQOC vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | PQOC vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | PQOC vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.30M | May 2024 | PQOC 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 $17B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM AAA CLO ETF | CLO | 99 | 2.22% | 10.61B | Jul 2023 | PQOC vs PAAA | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 1.96% | 17.34B | Apr 2018 | PQOC vs PULS | |
| PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF | Bank Loan | 92 | 2.37% | 116.68M | May 2022 | PQOC vs PFRL | |
| PGIM Short Duration Multi-Sector Bond ETF | Multisector Bonds | 88 | 1.23% | — | Jul 2023 | PQOC vs PSDM | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 84 | 5.60% | 183.97M | Jun 2024 | PQOC vs BUFP | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 88 | 1.46% | 98.37M | Jun 2024 | PQOC vs PUSH | |
| PGIM Short Duration High Yield ETF | High Yield Bonds | 75 | 2.30% | 160.90M | Dec 2023 | PQOC vs PSH | |
| PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF | Defined Outcome, S&P 500 | 89 | 4.21% | 154.43M | Jun 2024 | PQOC vs PBFR | |
| PGIM Total Return Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | 35 | 0.58% | 1.05B | Dec 2021 | PQOC vs PTRB | |
| PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 20 | 1.35% | 150.02M | Dec 2022 | PQOC vs PJFG |
Often Compared With PQOC
Investors most often compare PQOC with MARM, JAJL, LJUL. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PQOC with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PQOC with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PQOC with funds that move differently
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PQOC.
Explore PQOC Diversifiers