CPNS vs. PBFR

Last updated Apr 14, 2026

CPNS (Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. CPNS is passively managed, while PBFR is actively managed. Over the past year, CPNS returned 9.57% vs 15.89% for PBFR. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CPNS charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFR.

Performance

CPNS vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPNS) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPNS achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly lower than PBFR's 1.88% return.

CPNS

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 6M: 1.96%
• 1Y: 9.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBFR

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.39%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 15.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPNS vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CPNS Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	1.15%	7.25%	2.79%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	1.88%	10.44%	3.57%

Correlation

The correlation between CPNS and PBFR is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2024	0.77

The correlation between CPNS and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.78 — a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPNS vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPNS

CPNS Risk / Return Rank: 95
CPNS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
CPNS Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
CPNS Omega Ratio Rank: 96
CPNS Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
CPNS Martin Ratio Rank: 96

PBFR

PBFR Risk / Return Rank: 90
PBFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PBFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
PBFR Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PBFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PBFR Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

CPNS vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPNS) 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.

	CPNS	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.54	2.94	+0.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.71	4.37	+1.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.85	1.67	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.04	6.25	+0.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	34.02	29.65	+4.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CPNS vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPNS Sharpe Ratio is 3.54, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPNS 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

	CPNS	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.54	2.94	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.97	1.40	+0.57

Drawdowns

CPNS vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPNS drawdown since its inception was -3.99%, smaller than the maximum PBFR drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPNS and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPNS	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.99%	-8.50%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.31%	-2.82%	+1.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.39%	-0.68%	+0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.27%	0.59%	-0.32%

Volatility

CPNS vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPNS) is 1.15%, while PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) has a volatility of 2.48%. This indicates that CPNS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPNS	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	2.48%	-1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.87%	3.57%	-1.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74%	5.47%	-2.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.60%	7.11%	-3.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.60%	7.11%	-3.51%

CPNS vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPNS has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than PBFR's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPNS vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

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

	TTM	2025	2024
CPNS Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%