DECZ vs. PQAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DECZ (TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF) and PQAP (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds. DECZ is passively managed, while PQAP is actively managed. Over the past year, DECZ returned 20.18% vs 21.47% for PQAP. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DECZ charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PQAP.

Performance

DECZ vs. PQAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF (DECZ) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DECZ achieves a 8.14% return, which is significantly lower than PQAP's 12.09% return.

DECZ

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 4.15%
• YTD: 8.14%
• 6M: 8.12%
• 1Y: 20.18%
• 3Y*: 16.28%
• 5Y*: 11.21%
• 10Y*: —

PQAP

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.44%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 21.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DECZ vs. PQAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DECZ TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF	8.14%	12.71%
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	12.09%	14.48%

Correlation

The correlation between DECZ and PQAP is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.87

The correlation between DECZ and PQAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DECZ vs. PQAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

DECZ

DECZ Risk / Return Rank: 62
DECZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
DECZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
DECZ Omega Ratio Rank: 64
DECZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DECZ Martin Ratio Rank: 63

PQAP

PQAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
PQAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PQAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PQAP Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

DECZ vs. PQAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF (DECZ) and PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP). 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.

	DECZ	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	4.86	-2.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	8.47	-5.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	2.20	-0.82
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	15.50	-12.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.35	86.25	-74.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DECZ vs. PQAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DECZ Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is lower than the PQAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DECZ and PQAP, 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

	DECZ	PQAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	4.86	-2.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	1.76	-0.76

Drawdowns

DECZ vs. PQAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DECZ drawdown since its inception was -16.57%, which is greater than PQAP's maximum drawdown of -10.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DECZ and PQAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	DECZ	PQAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.57%	-10.79%	-5.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.53%	-1.39%	-6.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-0.12%	-0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.06%	-0.60%	-2.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	0.25%	+1.53%

Volatility

DECZ vs. PQAP - Volatility Comparison

TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF (DECZ) has a higher volatility of 2.47% compared to PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April (PQAP) at 1.02%. This indicates that DECZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PQAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DECZ	PQAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	1.02%	+1.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.20%	3.09%	+4.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.57%	4.45%	+5.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.59%	11.03%	+1.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.39%	11.03%	+1.36%

DECZ vs. PQAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

DECZ has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PQAP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

DECZ vs. PQAP - Dividend Comparison

DECZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.03%, more than PQAP's 0.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DECZ TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF	3.03%	3.28%	2.55%	1.23%	1.44%	0.46%
PQAP PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - April	0.02%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DECZ and PQAP in my portfolio?

DECZ and PQAP have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DECZ or PQAP?

DECZ has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to PQAP (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DECZ dropped -16.57% vs PQAP's -10.79%.

Which ETF is better, DECZ or PQAP?

On 1-year performance, PQAP leads with 21.47% vs 20.18% for DECZ. On fees, PQAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PQAP has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DECZ or PQAP?

Over the 1-year period, PQAP has performed better with a 21.47% return vs 20.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DECZ or PQAP?

PQAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for DECZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DECZ or PQAP?

DECZ has the higher dividend yield at 3.03%, compared with 0.02% for PQAP.

What is the main difference between DECZ and PQAP?

They also come from different issuers: TrueShares and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for DECZ and 0.50% for PQAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.86 vs 2.12), 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.