PBFR vs. IVV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) and IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM, while IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. PBFR is actively managed, while IVV is passively managed. Over the past year, PBFR returned 12.83% vs 28.00% for IVV. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PBFR charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for IVV.

Performance

PBFR vs. IVV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBFR achieves a 4.52% return, which is significantly lower than IVV's 10.85% return.

PBFR

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

IVV

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.97%
• YTD: 10.85%
• 6M: 10.87%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 22.43%
• 5Y*: 13.88%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

PBFR vs. IVV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.52%	10.44%	5.53%
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	10.85%	17.85%	9.08%

Correlation

The correlation between PBFR and IVV is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.90

The correlation between PBFR and IVV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

PBFR vs. IVV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PBFR	IVV
Technology	36.2%	35.6%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.9%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.5%
Industrials	8.1%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

PBFR vs. IVV — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

IVV

IVV Risk / Return Rank: 70
IVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IVV Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IVV Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

PBFR vs. IVV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). 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.

	PBFR	IVV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	2.39	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.36	3.25	+1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.43	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.57	3.17	+1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.09	14.71	+9.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBFR vs. IVV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBFR Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is comparable to the IVV Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBFR and IVV, 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

	PBFR	IVV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.99	2.39	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.54	0.45	+1.09

Drawdowns

PBFR vs. IVV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBFR drawdown since its inception was -8.50%, smaller than the maximum IVV drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBFR and IVV.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBFR	IVV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.50%	-55.25%	+46.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-8.89%	+6.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.75%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.53%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.76%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.63%	-10.78%	+10.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.53%	1.91%	-1.38%

Volatility

PBFR vs. IVV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) is 0.64%, while iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has a volatility of 2.87%. This indicates that PBFR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IVV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBFR	IVV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	2.87%	-2.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.34%	8.90%	-5.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.33%	11.80%	-7.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.89%	16.88%	-9.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.89%	18.05%	-11.16%

PBFR vs. IVV - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBFR has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IVV's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBFR vs. IVV - Dividend Comparison

PBFR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than IVV's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	1.06%	1.17%	1.30%	1.44%	1.66%	1.20%	1.57%	1.85%	2.21%	1.75%	2.01%	2.27%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBFR and IVV in my portfolio?

PBFR and IVV have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBFR or IVV?

IVV has higher volatility (2.87%) compared to PBFR (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBFR dropped -8.50% vs IVV's -55.25%.

Which ETF is better, PBFR or IVV?

On 1-year performance, IVV leads with 28.00% vs 12.83% for PBFR. On fees, IVV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. 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, PBFR or IVV?

Over the 1-year period, IVV has performed better with a 28.00% return vs 12.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBFR or IVV?

IVV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for PBFR.

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

IVV has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.01% for PBFR.

What is the main difference between PBFR and IVV?

PBFR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IVV is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PBFR and 0.03% for IVV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.39), 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.