OCTU vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

OCTU (AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Oct ETF) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, OCTU returned 16.94% vs 11.76% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. OCTU charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFR.

Performance

OCTU vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Oct ETF (OCTU) 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, OCTU achieves a 5.55% return, which is significantly higher than PBFR's 4.21% return.

OCTU

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: -1.09%
• YTD: 5.55%
• 6M: 5.00%
• 1Y: 16.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBFR

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: 4.21%
• 6M: 4.15%
• 1Y: 11.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

OCTU vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
OCTU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Oct ETF	5.55%	12.37%	1.43%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.21%	10.44%	1.92%

Correlation

The correlation between OCTU and PBFR 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 Oct 1, 2024	0.88

The correlation between OCTU and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

OCTU vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

OCTU

OCTU Risk / Return Rank: 62
OCTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
OCTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
OCTU Omega Ratio Rank: 57
OCTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
OCTU Martin Ratio Rank: 68

PBFR

PBFR Risk / Return Rank: 89
PBFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
PBFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PBFR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PBFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PBFR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

OCTU vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Oct ETF (OCTU) 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.

	OCTU	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	2.73	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.95	-1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.59	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	4.19	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.37	21.70	-10.34

OCTU vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OCTU Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is lower than the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OCTU 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

OCTU vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OCTU drawdown since its inception was -11.24%, which is greater than PBFR's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OCTU and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	OCTU	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.24%	-8.50%	-2.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.92%	-2.82%	-3.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-0.52%	-2.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.69%	-0.63%	-1.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	0.54%	+0.95%

Volatility

OCTU vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Oct ETF (OCTU) has a higher volatility of 3.89% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) at 1.30%. This indicates that OCTU'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

	OCTU	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.89%	1.30%	+2.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.02%	3.51%	+3.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.33%	4.35%	+4.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.61%	6.85%	+3.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.61%	6.85%	+3.76%

OCTU vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

OCTU has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than PBFR's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

OCTU vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024
OCTU AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Oct ETF	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 OCTU and PBFR in my portfolio?

OCTU and PBFR 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, OCTU or PBFR?

OCTU has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to PBFR (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OCTU dropped -11.24% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, OCTU or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, OCTU leads with 16.94% vs 11.76% for PBFR. On fees, PBFR is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBFR has been the lower-risk option at 1.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OCTU or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, OCTU has performed better with a 16.94% return vs 11.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OCTU or PBFR?

PBFR is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for OCTU.

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

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

What is the main difference between OCTU and PBFR?

They also come from different issuers: AllianzIM and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for OCTU and 0.50% for PBFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.83), 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.