PBDE vs. XBAP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PBDE (PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - December) and XBAP (Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PBDE returned 14.06% vs 14.57% for XBAP. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PBDE charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for XBAP.

Performance

PBDE vs. XBAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - December (PBDE) and Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April (XBAP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBDE achieves a 4.31% return, which is significantly lower than XBAP's 7.58% return.

PBDE

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -0.03%
• YTD: 4.31%
• 6M: 4.19%
• 1Y: 14.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XBAP

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 7.58%
• 6M: 7.77%
• 1Y: 14.57%
• 3Y*: 13.22%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

PBDE vs. XBAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PBDE PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - December	4.31%	11.87%	5.01%
XBAP Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April	7.58%	13.38%	8.03%

Correlation

The correlation between PBDE and XBAP is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2024	0.84

The correlation between PBDE and XBAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PBDE vs. XBAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBDE

PBDE Risk / Return Rank: 86
PBDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PBDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
PBDE Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PBDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
PBDE Martin Ratio Rank: 90

XBAP

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

PBDE vs. XBAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - December (PBDE) and Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April (XBAP). 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.

	PBDE	XBAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	4.06	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	7.30	-3.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	2.04	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.59	11.29	-7.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.76	64.34	-45.57

PBDE vs. XBAP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBDE Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is lower than the XBAP Sharpe Ratio of 4.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBDE and XBAP, 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

PBDE vs. XBAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBDE drawdown since its inception was -8.73%, smaller than the maximum XBAP drawdown of -14.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBDE and XBAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBDE	XBAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.73%	-14.57%	+5.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.94%	-1.30%	-2.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-8.25%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.57%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.69%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.75%	-1.73%	+0.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	0.23%	+0.52%

Volatility

PBDE vs. XBAP - Volatility Comparison

PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - December (PBDE) and Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - April (XBAP) have volatilities of 1.60% and 1.57%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBDE	XBAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.60%	1.57%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.29%	2.94%	+1.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.77%	3.62%	+2.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.13%	9.98%	-2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.13%	9.84%	-2.71%

PBDE vs. XBAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBDE has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than XBAP's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBDE vs. XBAP - Dividend Comparison

Neither PBDE nor XBAP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBDE and XBAP in my portfolio?

PBDE and XBAP have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBDE or XBAP?

PBDE has higher volatility (1.60%) compared to XBAP (1.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBDE dropped -8.73% vs XBAP's -14.57%.

Which ETF is better, PBDE or XBAP?

On 1-year performance, XBAP leads with 14.57% vs 14.06% for PBDE. On fees, PBDE is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBDE or XBAP?

Over the 1-year period, XBAP has performed better with a 14.57% return vs 14.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBDE or XBAP?

PBDE is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for XBAP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PBDE or XBAP?

PBDE and XBAP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PBDE and XBAP?

They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PBDE and 0.79% for XBAP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XBAP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.06 vs 2.46), 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.