APRP vs. BUFP

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

APRP (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April) and BUFP (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - APRP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by PGIM, while BUFP is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500. APRP is actively managed, while BUFP is passively managed. Over the past year, APRP returned 18.46% vs 18.00% for BUFP. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

APRP vs. BUFP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April (APRP) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APRP achieves a 9.54% return, which is significantly higher than BUFP's 6.46% return.

APRP

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.84%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 10.64%
• 1Y: 18.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFP

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 6.46%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 18.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

APRP vs. BUFP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
APRP PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April	9.54%	7.80%	7.05%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	6.46%	12.92%	6.36%

Correlation

The correlation between APRP and BUFP is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.91

The correlation between APRP and BUFP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

APRP vs. BUFP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

APRP

APRP Risk / Return Rank: 98
APRP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
APRP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
APRP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
APRP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
APRP Martin Ratio Rank: 98

BUFP

BUFP Risk / Return Rank: 88
BUFP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFP Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUFP Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BUFP Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BUFP Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

APRP vs. BUFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April (APRP) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	APRP	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.29	2.89	+1.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	7.33	4.30	+3.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.08	1.60	+0.48
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	17.17	4.14	+13.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	76.71	23.20	+53.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

APRP vs. BUFP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APRP Sharpe Ratio is 4.29, which is higher than the BUFP Sharpe Ratio of 2.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APRP and BUFP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	APRP	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.29	2.89	+1.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.37	1.41	-0.04

Drawdowns

APRP vs. BUFP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APRP drawdown since its inception was -13.66%, which is greater than BUFP's maximum drawdown of -11.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APRP and BUFP.

Drawdown Indicators

	APRP	BUFP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.66%	-11.98%	-1.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.09%	-4.41%	+3.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.23%	-1.01%	-0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.24%	0.79%	-0.55%

Volatility

APRP vs. BUFP - Volatility Comparison

PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April (APRP) has a higher volatility of 1.17% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) at 0.95%. This indicates that APRP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APRP	BUFP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	0.95%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.36%	4.81%	-1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.33%	6.27%	-1.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.50%	9.49%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.50%	9.49%	+0.01%

APRP vs. BUFP - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both APRP and BUFP have an expense ratio of 0.50%.

Dividends

APRP vs. BUFP - Dividend Comparison

APRP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BUFP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
APRP PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APRP and BUFP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, APRP and BUFP move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, APRP or BUFP?

APRP has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to BUFP (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APRP dropped -13.66% vs BUFP's -11.98%.

Which ETF is better, APRP or BUFP?

On 1-year performance, APRP leads with 18.46% vs 18.00% for BUFP. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. On volatility, BUFP has been the lower-risk option at 0.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APRP or BUFP?

Over the 1-year period, APRP has performed better with a 18.46% return vs 18.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APRP or BUFP?

APRP and BUFP have the same expense ratio: 0.50% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, APRP or BUFP?

BUFP has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for APRP.

What is the main difference between APRP and BUFP?

APRP is categorized as Options Trading, while BUFP is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APRP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 vs 2.89), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.