PBAP vs. XLEI

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

PBAP (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April) and XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBAP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by PGIM, while XLEI is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by State Street. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PBAP returned 12.46% vs 31.42% for XLEI. Their -0.02 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. PBAP charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLEI.

Performance

PBAP vs. XLEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April (PBAP) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBAP achieves a 8.25% return, which is significantly lower than XLEI's 21.12% return.

PBAP

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.24%
• 6M: 7.74%
• YTD: 8.25%
• 1Y: 12.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.11%

XLEI

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: 7.14%
• 6M: 11.38%
• YTD: 21.12%
• 1Y: 31.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 28.09%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PBAP PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April	$137.06K	$124.91K	$161.62K
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$1.76M	$1.48M	$1.32M

PBAP vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PBAP PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April	8.25%	3.78%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	21.12%	6.17%

Correlation

The correlation between PBAP and XLEI is -0.03, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	-0.02

Return for Risk

PBAP vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PBAP

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

XLEI

XLEI Risk / Return Rank: 82
XLEI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XLEI Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
XLEI Omega Ratio Rank: 81
XLEI Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
XLEI Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PBAP vs. XLEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April (PBAP) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). 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.

	PBAP	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.68	2.24	+1.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.99	2.81	+3.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.92	1.38	+0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.68	3.85	+6.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	61.10	11.59	+49.51

PBAP vs. XLEI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBAP Sharpe Ratio is 3.68, which is higher than the XLEI Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBAP and XLEI, 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

PBAP vs. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBAP drawdown since its inception was -9.70%, which is greater than XLEI's maximum drawdown of -8.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBAP and XLEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBAP	XLEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.70%	-8.19%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	-8.19%	+7.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.76%	+2.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.75%	-1.83%	+1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.20%	2.72%	-2.52%

Volatility

PBAP vs. XLEI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April (PBAP) is 1.35%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) has a volatility of 4.35%. This indicates that PBAP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLEI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBAP	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	4.35%	-3.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.65%	11.40%	-8.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.40%	14.12%	-10.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.93%	14.11%	-7.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.93%	14.11%	-7.18%

PBAP vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBAP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than XLEI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBAP vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

PBAP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.64%.

Position	TTM	2025
PBAP PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	20.64%	10.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBAP and XLEI in my portfolio?

PBAP and XLEI have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBAP or XLEI?

XLEI has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to PBAP (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBAP dropped -9.70% vs XLEI's -8.19%.

Which ETF is better, PBAP or XLEI?

On 1-year performance, XLEI leads with 31.42% vs 12.46% for PBAP. On fees, XLEI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, PBAP has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBAP or XLEI?

Over the 1-year period, XLEI has performed better with a 31.42% return vs 12.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBAP or XLEI?

XLEI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for PBAP.

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

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 20.64%, compared with 0.00% for PBAP.

What is the main difference between PBAP and XLEI?

PBAP is categorized as Options Trading, while XLEI is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PBAP and 0.35% for XLEI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.68 vs 2.24), 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.