MAYP vs. PULS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MAYP (PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - May) and PULS (PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MAYP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM, while PULS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MAYP returned 13.30% vs 4.70% for PULS. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MAYP charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PULS.

Performance

MAYP vs. PULS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - May (MAYP) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MAYP achieves a 5.01% return, which is significantly higher than PULS's 1.73% return.

MAYP

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 2.55%
• YTD: 5.01%
• 6M: 5.93%
• 1Y: 13.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PULS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.73%
• 6M: 2.09%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 5.61%
• 5Y*: 4.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

MAYP vs. PULS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MAYP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - May	5.01%	10.99%	11.55%
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.73%	4.97%	3.90%

Correlation

The correlation between MAYP and PULS is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2024	0.12

Return for Risk

MAYP vs. PULS — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAYP

MAYP Risk / Return Rank: 93
MAYP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
MAYP Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
MAYP Omega Ratio Rank: 94
MAYP Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
MAYP Martin Ratio Rank: 96

PULS

PULS Risk / Return Rank: 100
PULS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
PULS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PULS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

MAYP vs. PULS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - May (MAYP) and PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS). 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.

	MAYP	PULS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.96	11.41	-8.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.55	32.91	-28.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	7.59	-5.91
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.34	52.47	-46.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	36.59	318.56	-281.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAYP vs. PULS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAYP Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is lower than the PULS Sharpe Ratio of 11.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAYP and PULS, 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

	MAYP	PULS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.96	11.41	-8.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	5.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.46	2.51	-1.05

Drawdowns

MAYP vs. PULS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAYP drawdown since its inception was -11.06%, which is greater than PULS's maximum drawdown of -5.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAYP and PULS.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAYP	PULS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.06%	-5.85%	-5.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.11%	-0.09%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.34%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	0.00%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.65%	-0.09%	-0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	0.01%	+0.35%

Volatility

MAYP vs. PULS - Volatility Comparison

PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - May (MAYP) has a higher volatility of 1.71% compared to PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) at 0.11%. This indicates that MAYP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PULS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAYP	PULS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.71%	0.11%	+1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.52%	0.30%	+3.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.51%	0.41%	+4.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.25%	0.70%	+8.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.25%	1.33%	+7.92%

MAYP vs. PULS - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAYP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than PULS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

MAYP vs. PULS - Dividend Comparison

MAYP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PULS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MAYP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PULS PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.58%	4.78%	5.62%	5.48%	2.30%	1.19%	1.85%	2.69%	1.87%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MAYP and PULS in my portfolio?

MAYP and PULS have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAYP or PULS?

MAYP has higher volatility (1.71%) compared to PULS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAYP dropped -11.06% vs PULS's -5.85%.

Which ETF is better, MAYP or PULS?

On 1-year performance, MAYP leads with 13.30% vs 4.70% for PULS. On fees, PULS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, PULS has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MAYP or PULS?

Over the 1-year period, MAYP has performed better with a 13.30% return vs 4.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MAYP or PULS?

PULS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for MAYP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MAYP or PULS?

PULS has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 0.00% for MAYP.

What is the main difference between MAYP and PULS?

MAYP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while PULS is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for MAYP and 0.15% for PULS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.41 vs 2.96), 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.