APRP vs. GSEP

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

APRP (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April) and GSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, APRP returned 18.46% vs 14.37% for GSEP. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. APRP charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for GSEP.

Performance

APRP vs. GSEP - 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 FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September (GSEP). 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 GSEP's 5.47% return.

APRP

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

GSEP

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 1.79%
• YTD: 5.47%
• 6M: 6.02%
• 1Y: 14.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

APRP vs. GSEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
APRP PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April	9.54%	7.80%	10.28%
GSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September	5.47%	10.56%	6.25%

Correlation

The correlation between APRP and GSEP 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 Apr 2, 2024	0.89

The correlation between APRP and GSEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

APRP vs. GSEP — 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

GSEP

GSEP Risk / Return Rank: 75
GSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
GSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
GSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 81
GSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
GSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. GSEP - 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 FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September (GSEP). 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	GSEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.29	2.42	+1.86
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	7.33	3.47	+3.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.08	1.50	+0.59
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	17.17	3.29	+13.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	76.71	16.72	+59.99
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. GSEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APRP Sharpe Ratio is 4.29, which is higher than the GSEP Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APRP and GSEP, 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	GSEP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.29	2.42	+1.86
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.37	1.57	-0.20

Drawdowns

APRP vs. GSEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APRP drawdown since its inception was -13.66%, which is greater than GSEP's maximum drawdown of -10.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APRP and GSEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	APRP	GSEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.66%	-10.09%	-3.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.09%	-4.44%	+3.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.01%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.23%	-0.74%	-0.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.24%	0.87%	-0.63%

Volatility

APRP vs. GSEP - Volatility Comparison

PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April (APRP) has a higher volatility of 1.17% compared to FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – September (GSEP) at 1.00%. This indicates that APRP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GSEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APRP	GSEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	1.00%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.36%	4.74%	-1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.33%	5.96%	-1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.50%	7.60%	+1.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.50%	7.60%	+1.90%

APRP vs. GSEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

APRP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than GSEP's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

APRP vs. GSEP - Dividend Comparison

Neither APRP nor GSEP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APRP and GSEP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, APRP and GSEP 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 GSEP?

APRP has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to GSEP (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APRP dropped -13.66% vs GSEP's -10.09%.

Which ETF is better, APRP or GSEP?

On 1-year performance, APRP leads with 18.46% vs 14.37% for GSEP. On fees, APRP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, GSEP has been the lower-risk option at 1.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APRP or GSEP?

Over the 1-year period, APRP has performed better with a 18.46% return vs 14.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APRP or GSEP?

APRP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GSEP.

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

APRP and GSEP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between APRP and GSEP?

They also come from different issuers: PGIM and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for APRP and 0.85% for GSEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APRP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 vs 2.42), 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.