DECU vs. BUFP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DECU (AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF) and BUFP (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. DECU is actively managed, while BUFP is passively managed. Over the past year, DECU returned 18.55% vs 17.24% for BUFP. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DECU charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BUFP.

Performance

DECU vs. BUFP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF (DECU) 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, DECU achieves a 7.56% return, which is significantly higher than BUFP's 6.23% return.

DECU

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 3.88%
• YTD: 7.56%
• 6M: 7.40%
• 1Y: 18.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFP

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 6.23%
• 6M: 7.00%
• 1Y: 17.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DECU vs. BUFP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DECU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF	7.56%	11.52%	-2.04%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	6.23%	12.92%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between DECU 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 Dec 3, 2024	0.90

The correlation between DECU and BUFP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DECU vs. BUFP — Risk / Return Rank

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

DECU

DECU Risk / Return Rank: 65
DECU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
DECU Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
DECU Omega Ratio Rank: 64
DECU Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
DECU Martin Ratio Rank: 67

BUFP

BUFP Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFP Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BUFP Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFP Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BUFP Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

DECU vs. BUFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF (DECU) 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.

	DECU	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.77	-0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	4.12	-1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.58	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	3.93	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.25	21.96	-9.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DECU vs. BUFP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DECU Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the BUFP Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DECU 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

	DECU	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.77	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	1.40	-0.31

Drawdowns

DECU vs. BUFP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECU drawdown since its inception was -10.66%, smaller than the maximum BUFP drawdown of -11.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECU and BUFP.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECU	BUFP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.66%	-11.98%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.65%	-4.41%	-1.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-0.22%	-0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.73%	-1.00%	-0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.52%	0.79%	+0.73%

Volatility

DECU vs. BUFP - Volatility Comparison

AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF (DECU) has a higher volatility of 2.35% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) at 0.95%. This indicates that DECU'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

	DECU	BUFP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.35%	0.95%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.15%	4.82%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.83%	6.27%	+2.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.58%	9.49%	+1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.58%	9.49%	+1.09%

DECU vs. BUFP - Expense Ratio Comparison

DECU has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

DECU vs. BUFP - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.02%
DECU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECU and BUFP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, DECU 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, DECU or BUFP?

DECU has higher volatility (2.35%) compared to BUFP (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DECU dropped -10.66% vs BUFP's -11.98%.

Which ETF is better, DECU or BUFP?

On 1-year performance, DECU leads with 18.55% vs 17.24% for BUFP. On fees, BUFP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. 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, DECU or BUFP?

Over the 1-year period, DECU has performed better with a 18.55% return vs 17.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DECU or BUFP?

BUFP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for DECU.

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

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

What is the main difference between DECU and BUFP?

They also come from different issuers: AllianzIM and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for DECU and 0.50% for BUFP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 2.11), 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.