BJUN vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BJUN (Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - June) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. BJUN is passively managed, while PBFR is actively managed. Over the past year, BJUN returned 14.41% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BJUN charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFR.

Performance

BJUN vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - June (BJUN) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BJUN having a 4.45% return and PBFR slightly higher at 4.52%.

BJUN

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 4.45%
• 6M: 5.26%
• 1Y: 14.41%
• 3Y*: 14.50%
• 5Y*: 8.67%
• 10Y*: —

PBFR

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 4.52%
• 6M: 5.34%
• 1Y: 12.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BJUN vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BJUN Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - June	4.45%	12.57%	6.89%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.52%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between BJUN and PBFR is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.88

The correlation between BJUN and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BJUN vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BJUN

BJUN Risk / Return Rank: 76
BJUN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
BJUN Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
BJUN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BJUN Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
BJUN Martin Ratio Rank: 87

PBFR

PBFR Risk / Return Rank: 90
PBFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBFR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PBFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
PBFR Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

BJUN vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - June (BJUN) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR). 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.

	BJUN	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.99	-0.72
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	4.36	-0.97
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.66	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	4.57	-1.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.84	24.09	-5.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BJUN vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BJUN Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BJUN and PBFR, 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

	BJUN	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	2.99	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	1.54	-0.80

Drawdowns

BJUN vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BJUN drawdown since its inception was -22.71%, which is greater than PBFR's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BJUN and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BJUN	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.71%	-8.50%	-14.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.36%	-2.82%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.69%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.16%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.85%	-0.63%	-2.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	0.53%	+0.24%

Volatility

BJUN vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - June (BJUN) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) have volatilities of 0.63% and 0.64%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BJUN	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	0.64%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.67%	3.34%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.40%	4.33%	+2.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.88%	6.89%	+3.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.21%	6.89%	+6.32%

BJUN vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BJUN has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PBFR's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BJUN vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BJUN Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - June	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BJUN and PBFR in my portfolio?

BJUN and PBFR have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BJUN or PBFR?

PBFR has higher volatility (0.64%) compared to BJUN (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BJUN dropped -22.71% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, BJUN or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, BJUN leads with 14.41% vs 12.83% for PBFR. On fees, PBFR is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BJUN or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, BJUN has performed better with a 14.41% return vs 12.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BJUN or PBFR?

PBFR is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BJUN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BJUN or PBFR?

PBFR has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for BJUN.

What is the main difference between BJUN and PBFR?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BJUN and 0.50% for PBFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.27), 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.