DECU vs. PBQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DECU (AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF) and PBQQ (PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DECU returned 18.55% vs 20.98% for PBQQ. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DECU charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBQQ.

Performance

DECU vs. PBQQ - 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 Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ). 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 lower than PBQQ's 9.10% return.

DECU

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

PBQQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: 9.10%
• 6M: 9.79%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DECU vs. PBQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DECU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF	7.56%	11.75%
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	9.10%	15.44%

Correlation

The correlation between DECU and PBQQ is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.91

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

Return for Risk

DECU vs. PBQQ — 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

PBQQ

PBQQ Risk / Return Rank: 89
PBQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PBQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PBQQ 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. PBQQ - 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 Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ). 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	PBQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.94	-0.83
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	4.33	-1.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.59	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	4.47	-1.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.25	21.36	-9.11
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. PBQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DECU Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the PBQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DECU and PBQQ, 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	PBQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.94	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	1.50	-0.42

Drawdowns

DECU vs. PBQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECU drawdown since its inception was -10.66%, smaller than the maximum PBQQ drawdown of -12.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECU and PBQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECU	PBQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.66%	-12.92%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.65%	-4.71%	-0.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-0.21%	-0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.73%	-1.26%	-0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.52%	0.98%	+0.54%

Volatility

DECU vs. PBQQ - Volatility Comparison

AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF (DECU) has a higher volatility of 2.35% compared to PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) at 1.07%. This indicates that DECU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DECU	PBQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.35%	1.07%	+1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.15%	5.51%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.83%	7.18%	+1.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.58%	11.88%	-1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.58%	11.88%	-1.30%

DECU vs. PBQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DECU vs. PBQQ - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025
DECU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Dec ETF	0.00%	0.00%
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECU and PBQQ in my portfolio?

DECU and PBQQ have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DECU or PBQQ?

DECU has higher volatility (2.35%) compared to PBQQ (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DECU dropped -10.66% vs PBQQ's -12.92%.

Which ETF is better, DECU or PBQQ?

On 1-year performance, PBQQ leads with 20.98% vs 18.55% for DECU. On fees, PBQQ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBQQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DECU or PBQQ?

Over the 1-year period, PBQQ has performed better with a 20.98% return vs 18.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DECU or PBQQ?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between DECU and PBQQ?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 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.