PBFB vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PBFB (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBFB is a Options Trading fund actively managed by PGIM, while PBFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PBFB returned 13.63% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

PBFB vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PBFB having a 4.68% return and PBFR slightly lower at 4.52%.

PBFB

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 13.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBFR

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 4.52%
• 6M: 5.34%
• 1Y: 12.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PBFB vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PBFB PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February	4.68%	9.86%	5.07%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.52%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PBFB and PBFR is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.87

The correlation between PBFB and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PBFB vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBFB

PBFB Risk / Return Rank: 86
PBFB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PBFB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBFB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PBFB Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PBFB Martin Ratio Rank: 88

PBFR

PBFR Risk / Return Rank: 90
PBFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBFR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PBFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
PBFR Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PBFB vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB) 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.

	PBFB	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	2.99	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.27	4.36	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.66	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	4.57	-0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.17	24.09	-4.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBFB vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBFB Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBFB 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PBFB	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.87	2.99	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.67	1.54	+0.13

Drawdowns

PBFB vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBFB drawdown since its inception was -8.65%, roughly equal to the maximum PBFR drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBFB and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBFB	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.65%	-8.50%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.79%	-2.82%	-0.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.16%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.60%	-0.63%	+0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.71%	0.53%	+0.18%

Volatility

PBFB vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB) has a higher volatility of 0.75% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) at 0.64%. This indicates that PBFB'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

	PBFB	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	0.64%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.71%	3.34%	+0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.77%	4.33%	+0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	6.89%	-0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.39%	6.89%	-0.50%

PBFB vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PBFB and PBFR have an expense ratio of 0.50%.

Dividends

PBFB vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024
PBFB PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February	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 PBFB and PBFR in my portfolio?

PBFB and PBFR have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBFB or PBFR?

PBFB has higher volatility (0.75%) compared to PBFR (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBFB dropped -8.65% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, PBFB or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, PBFB leads with 13.63% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. On volatility, PBFR has been the lower-risk option at 0.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBFB or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, PBFB has performed better with a 13.63% return vs 12.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBFB or PBFR?

PBFB and PBFR have the same expense ratio: 0.50% per year.

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

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

What is the main difference between PBFB and PBFR?

PBFB is categorized as Options Trading, while PBFR is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.87), 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.