CPSP vs. PBAU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CPSP (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - April) and PBAU (PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August) are both exchange-traded funds - CPSP is a S&P 500 fund actively managed by Calamos, while PBAU is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, CPSP returned 6.61% vs 12.66% for PBAU. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CPSP charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBAU.

Performance

CPSP vs. PBAU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPSP achieves a 3.05% return, which is significantly lower than PBAU's 4.34% return.

CPSP

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 3.05%
• 6M: 3.13%
• 1Y: 6.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBAU

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 4.34%
• 6M: 4.25%
• 1Y: 12.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPSP vs. PBAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CPSP Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - April	3.05%	5.96%
PBAU PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August	4.34%	12.97%

Correlation

The correlation between CPSP and PBAU is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2025	0.74

The correlation between CPSP and PBAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPSP vs. PBAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPSP

CPSP Risk / Return Rank: 98
CPSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
CPSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
CPSP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
CPSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
CPSP Martin Ratio Rank: 99

PBAU

PBAU Risk / Return Rank: 90
PBAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PBAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PBAU Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PBAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PBAU 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.

CPSP vs. PBAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - April (CPSP) and PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August (PBAU). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CPSP	PBAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.91	2.69	+2.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	9.21	3.97	+5.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.22	1.56	+0.66
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	17.71	3.86	+13.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	82.47	20.58	+61.89

CPSP vs. PBAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPSP Sharpe Ratio is 4.91, which is higher than the PBAU Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPSP and PBAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CPSP vs. PBAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPSP drawdown since its inception was -1.73%, smaller than the maximum PBAU drawdown of -8.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPSP and PBAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPSP	PBAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.73%	-8.87%	+7.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.37%	-3.29%	+2.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.26%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.09%	-0.65%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.08%	0.62%	-0.54%

Volatility

CPSP vs. PBAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - April (CPSP) is 0.40%, while PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August (PBAU) has a volatility of 0.92%. This indicates that CPSP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPSP	PBAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	0.92%	-0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.86%	3.64%	-2.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36%	4.77%	-3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.38%	7.14%	-4.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.38%	7.14%	-4.76%

CPSP vs. PBAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPSP has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than PBAU's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPSP vs. PBAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither CPSP nor PBAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPSP and PBAU in my portfolio?

CPSP and PBAU have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CPSP or PBAU?

PBAU has higher volatility (0.92%) compared to CPSP (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPSP dropped -1.73% vs PBAU's -8.87%.

Which ETF is better, CPSP or PBAU?

On 1-year performance, PBAU leads with 12.66% vs 6.61% for CPSP. On fees, PBAU is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, CPSP has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CPSP or PBAU?

Over the 1-year period, PBAU has performed better with a 12.66% return vs 6.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPSP or PBAU?

PBAU is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for CPSP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CPSP or PBAU?

CPSP and PBAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between CPSP and PBAU?

CPSP is categorized as S&P 500, while PBAU is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Calamos and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for CPSP and 0.50% for PBAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPSP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.91 vs 2.69), 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.