PBJA vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PBJA (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBJA 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, PBJA returned 12.85% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

PBJA vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA) 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 investments are quite close, with PBJA having a 4.34% return and PBFR slightly higher at 4.52%.

PBJA

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 1.54%
• YTD: 4.34%
• 6M: 5.14%
• 1Y: 12.85%
• 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)

PBJA vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PBJA PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January	4.34%	10.33%	5.10%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.52%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PBJA and PBFR is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.86

The correlation between PBJA and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PBJA vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBJA

PBJA Risk / Return Rank: 85
PBJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PBJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PBJA Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PBJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PBJA Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

PBJA vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PBJA	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.80	2.99	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.18	4.36	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.66	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	4.57	-0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.59	24.09	-4.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBJA vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBJA Sharpe Ratio is 2.80, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBJA 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

	PBJA	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.80	2.99	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.76	1.54	+0.22

Drawdowns

PBJA vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	PBJA	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.50%	-8.50%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.58%	-2.82%	-0.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.16%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.55%	-0.63%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	0.53%	+0.13%

Volatility

PBJA vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) have volatilities of 0.64% and 0.64%, 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

	PBJA	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	0.64%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.71%	3.34%	+0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.62%	4.33%	+0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.38%	6.89%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.38%	6.89%	-0.51%

PBJA vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PBJA vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%
PBJA PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBJA and PBFR in my portfolio?

PBJA and PBFR have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBJA or PBFR?

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

Which ETF is better, PBJA or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, PBJA leads with 12.85% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. 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, PBJA or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, PBJA has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 12.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBJA or PBFR?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between PBJA and PBFR?

PBJA 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 2.80), 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.