FNOV vs. PBFR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FNOV (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. FNOV is passively managed, while PBFR is actively managed. Over the past year, FNOV returned 17.46% vs 11.38% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FNOV charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFR.

Performance

FNOV vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November (FNOV) 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, FNOV achieves a 8.05% return, which is significantly higher than PBFR's 5.89% return.

FNOV

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.41%
• 6M: 6.79%
• YTD: 8.05%
• 1Y: 17.46%
• 3Y*: 13.52%
• 5Y*: 9.31%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.35%

PBFR

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 1.01%
• 6M: 5.06%
• YTD: 5.89%
• 1Y: 11.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.34%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November	$650.46K	$550.52K	$1.96M
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	$1.32M	$1.10M	$1.64M

FNOV vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November	8.05%	14.66%	4.21%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	5.89%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between FNOV and PBFR is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2024	0.87

The correlation between FNOV and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

FNOV vs. PBFR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FNOV	PBFR
Technology	37.9%	37.9%
Financial Services	11.7%	11.7%
Communication Services	10.0%	10.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	9.6%
Healthcare	9.1%	9.1%
Industrials	8.4%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.6%
Energy	3.0%	3.0%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

FNOV vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FNOV

FNOV Risk / Return Rank: 87
FNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
FNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 91

PBFR

PBFR Risk / Return Rank: 93
PBFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PBFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
PBFR Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PBFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PBFR Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FNOV vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November (FNOV) 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.

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.

	FNOV	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.60	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.78	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.55	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	4.06	-0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.88	20.65	-4.77

FNOV vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNOV Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNOV 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.

Drawdowns

FNOV vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNOV drawdown since its inception was -24.41%, which is greater than PBFR's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNOV and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNOV	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.41%	-8.50%	-15.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.71%	-2.82%	-2.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.86%	-0.61%	-2.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	0.55%	+0.55%

Volatility

FNOV vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November (FNOV) has a higher volatility of 1.98% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) at 1.33%. This indicates that FNOV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNOV	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.98%	1.33%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.11%	3.65%	+2.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.67%	4.41%	+3.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.55%	6.74%	+4.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.56%	6.74%	+6.82%

FNOV vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNOV has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PBFR's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNOV vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNOV and PBFR in my portfolio?

FNOV and PBFR have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNOV or PBFR?

FNOV has higher volatility (1.98%) compared to PBFR (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNOV dropped -24.41% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, FNOV or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, FNOV leads with 17.46% vs 11.38% for PBFR. On fees, PBFR is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBFR has been the lower-risk option at 1.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FNOV or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, FNOV has performed better with a 17.46% return vs 11.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNOV or PBFR?

PBFR is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FNOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FNOV or PBFR?

PBFR has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for FNOV.

What is the main difference between FNOV and PBFR?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FNOV and 0.50% for PBFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 2.29), 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.