GAPR vs. PBFB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GAPR (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April) and PBFB (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GAPR returned 10.42% vs 13.63% for PBFB. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GAPR charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFB.

Performance

GAPR vs. PBFB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April (GAPR) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAPR achieves a 4.16% return, which is significantly lower than PBFB's 4.68% return.

GAPR

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 2.03%
• YTD: 4.16%
• 6M: 4.90%
• 1Y: 10.42%
• 3Y*: 11.06%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBFB

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 13.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GAPR vs. PBFB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GAPR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April	4.16%	6.68%	13.14%
PBFB PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February	4.68%	9.86%	10.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GAPR and PBFB is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2024	0.82

The correlation between GAPR and PBFB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GAPR vs. PBFB — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAPR

GAPR Risk / Return Rank: 97
GAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
GAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
GAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
GAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
GAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

PBFB

PBFB Risk / Return Rank: 86
PBFB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PBFB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBFB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PBFB Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PBFB Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

GAPR vs. PBFB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April (GAPR) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB). 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.

	GAPR	PBFB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.97	2.87	+1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.89	4.27	+2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.94	1.61	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.94	3.61	+8.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	62.55	19.17	+43.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GAPR vs. PBFB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAPR Sharpe Ratio is 3.97, which is higher than the PBFB Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAPR and PBFB, 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

	GAPR	PBFB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.97	2.87	+1.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.64	1.67	-0.03

Drawdowns

GAPR vs. PBFB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAPR drawdown since its inception was -8.98%, roughly equal to the maximum PBFB drawdown of -8.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAPR and PBFB.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAPR	PBFB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.98%	-8.65%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.88%	-3.79%	+2.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.98%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.15%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.53%	-0.60%	+0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.17%	0.71%	-0.54%

Volatility

GAPR vs. PBFB - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April (GAPR) has a higher volatility of 0.93% compared to PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB) at 0.75%. This indicates that GAPR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBFB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAPR	PBFB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.93%	0.75%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.84%	3.71%	-1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63%	4.77%	-2.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.03%	6.39%	+0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.03%	6.39%	+0.64%

GAPR vs. PBFB - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAPR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PBFB's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAPR vs. PBFB - Dividend Comparison

Neither GAPR nor PBFB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAPR and PBFB in my portfolio?

GAPR and PBFB have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAPR or PBFB?

GAPR has higher volatility (0.93%) compared to PBFB (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAPR dropped -8.98% vs PBFB's -8.65%.

Which ETF is better, GAPR or PBFB?

On 1-year performance, PBFB leads with 13.63% vs 10.42% for GAPR. On fees, PBFB is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBFB has been the lower-risk option at 0.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GAPR or PBFB?

Over the 1-year period, PBFB has performed better with a 13.63% return vs 10.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GAPR or PBFB?

PBFB is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GAPR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GAPR or PBFB?

GAPR and PBFB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GAPR and PBFB?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.97 vs 2.87), 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.