HEQQ vs. PBQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HEQQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF) and PBQQ (PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HEQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund managed by JPMorgan, while PBQQ is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. Over the past year, HEQQ returned 17.08% vs 20.98% for PBQQ. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

HEQQ vs. PBQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) 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, HEQQ achieves a 4.67% return, which is significantly lower than PBQQ's 9.10% return.

HEQQ

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 4.67%
• 6M: 4.45%
• 1Y: 17.08%
• 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)

HEQQ vs. PBQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HEQQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	4.67%	17.20%
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	9.10%	17.12%

Correlation

The correlation between HEQQ 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 Mar 28, 2025	0.90

The correlation between HEQQ and PBQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HEQQ vs. PBQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

HEQQ

HEQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
HEQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
HEQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
HEQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
HEQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
HEQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

HEQQ vs. PBQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) 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.

	HEQQ	PBQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.94	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	4.33	-1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.59	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	4.47	-2.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.86	21.36	-12.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HEQQ vs. PBQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HEQQ 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 HEQQ 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

	HEQQ	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	1.74	1.50	+0.24

Drawdowns

HEQQ vs. PBQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HEQQ drawdown since its inception was -7.64%, smaller than the maximum PBQQ drawdown of -12.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEQQ and PBQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	HEQQ	PBQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.64%	-12.92%	+5.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.64%	-4.71%	-2.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.21%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.11%	-1.26%	+0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	0.98%	+0.95%

Volatility

HEQQ vs. PBQQ - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HEQQ) has a higher volatility of 1.33% compared to PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) at 1.07%. This indicates that HEQQ'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

	HEQQ	PBQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	1.07%	+0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.63%	5.51%	+1.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.14%	7.18%	+0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.89%	11.88%	-0.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.89%	11.88%	-0.99%

HEQQ vs. PBQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both HEQQ and PBQQ have an expense ratio of 0.50%.

Dividends

HEQQ vs. PBQQ - Dividend Comparison

HEQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, more than PBQQ's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
HEQQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	0.19%	0.19%
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HEQQ and PBQQ in my portfolio?

HEQQ 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, HEQQ or PBQQ?

HEQQ has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to PBQQ (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEQQ dropped -7.64% vs PBQQ's -12.92%.

Which ETF is better, HEQQ or PBQQ?

On 1-year performance, PBQQ leads with 20.98% vs 17.08% for HEQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. 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, HEQQ or PBQQ?

Over the 1-year period, PBQQ has performed better with a 20.98% return vs 17.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HEQQ or PBQQ?

HEQQ and PBQQ have the same expense ratio: 0.50% per year.

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

HEQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.19%, compared with 0.01% for PBQQ.

What is the main difference between HEQQ and PBQQ?

HEQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while PBQQ is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and PGIM.

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.