GFEB vs. PBAP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GFEB (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February) and PBAP (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April) are both Options Trading funds. GFEB is passively managed, while PBAP is actively managed. Over the past year, GFEB returned 15.17% vs 13.30% for PBAP. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GFEB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBAP.

Performance

GFEB vs. PBAP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFEB achieves a 5.83% return, which is significantly lower than PBAP's 6.70% return.

GFEB

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 1.89%
• YTD: 5.83%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 15.17%
• 3Y*: 13.04%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBAP

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 1.19%
• YTD: 6.70%
• 6M: 7.49%
• 1Y: 13.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GFEB vs. PBAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GFEB FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February	5.83%	11.19%	8.73%
PBAP PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April	6.70%	6.34%	8.88%

Correlation

The correlation between GFEB and PBAP is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2024	0.85

The correlation between GFEB and PBAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GFEB vs. PBAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFEB

GFEB Risk / Return Rank: 84
GFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
GFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
GFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 89
GFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
GFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 86

PBAP

PBAP Risk / Return Rank: 98
PBAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PBAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PBAP Omega Ratio Rank: 98
PBAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
PBAP 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.

GFEB vs. PBAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	GFEB	PBAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	4.29	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.09	7.35	-3.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	2.15	-0.59
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	11.41	-7.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.40	82.09	-63.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFEB vs. PBAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is lower than the PBAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFEB and PBAP, 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

	GFEB	PBAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77	4.29	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.79	1.45	+0.34

Drawdowns

GFEB vs. PBAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFEB drawdown since its inception was -9.63%, roughly equal to the maximum PBAP drawdown of -9.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFEB and PBAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFEB	PBAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.63%	-9.70%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.46%	-1.17%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.13%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.69%	-0.79%	+0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	0.16%	+0.67%

Volatility

GFEB vs. PBAP - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February (GFEB) has a higher volatility of 0.91% compared to PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April (PBAP) at 0.59%. This indicates that GFEB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFEB	PBAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.91%	0.59%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.21%	2.00%	+2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.51%	3.12%	+2.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.57%	7.10%	+0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.57%	7.10%	+0.47%

GFEB vs. PBAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFEB has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PBAP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFEB vs. PBAP - Dividend Comparison

Neither GFEB nor PBAP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GFEB and PBAP in my portfolio?

GFEB and PBAP have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFEB or PBAP?

GFEB has higher volatility (0.91%) compared to PBAP (0.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFEB dropped -9.63% vs PBAP's -9.70%.

Which ETF is better, GFEB or PBAP?

On 1-year performance, GFEB leads with 15.17% vs 13.30% for PBAP. On fees, PBAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBAP has been the lower-risk option at 0.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GFEB or PBAP?

Over the 1-year period, GFEB has performed better with a 15.17% return vs 13.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GFEB or PBAP?

PBAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GFEB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GFEB or PBAP?

GFEB and PBAP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GFEB and PBAP?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 vs 2.77), 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.