PBJA vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PBJA (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBJA is a Options Trading fund actively managed by PGIM, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. PBJA is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past year, PBJA returned 13.25% vs 29.62% for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PBJA charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

PBJA vs. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBJA achieves a 4.49% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return.

PBJA

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.55%
• YTD: 4.49%
• 6M: 5.37%
• 1Y: 13.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

PBJA vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PBJA PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January	4.49%	10.33%	12.18%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	25.59%

Correlation

The correlation between PBJA and SPY is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2024	0.92

The correlation between PBJA and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PBJA vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBJA

PBJA Risk / Return Rank: 86
PBJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
PBJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PBJA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PBJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PBJA Martin Ratio Rank: 89

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.88	2.52	+0.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.31	3.42	+0.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.46	+0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	3.42	+0.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.44	15.93	+4.51
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBJA Sharpe Ratio is 2.88, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBJA and SPY, 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88	2.52	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.77	0.59	+1.19

Drawdowns

PBJA vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBJA drawdown since its inception was -8.50%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBJA and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBJA	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.50%	-55.19%	+46.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.58%	-8.88%	+5.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.55%	-9.05%	+8.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	1.91%	-1.25%

Volatility

PBJA vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA) is 0.64%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.75%. This indicates that PBJA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBJA	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	2.75%	-2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.70%	8.89%	-5.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.61%	11.81%	-7.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.38%	17.05%	-10.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.38%	17.94%	-11.56%

PBJA vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBJA has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBJA vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

PBJA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBJA PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBJA and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, PBJA and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PBJA or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.75%) compared to PBJA (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBJA dropped -8.50% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, PBJA or SPY?

On 1-year performance, SPY leads with 29.62% vs 13.25% for PBJA. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, PBJA 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, PBJA or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, SPY has performed better with a 29.62% return vs 13.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBJA or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for PBJA.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.00% for PBJA.

What is the main difference between PBJA and SPY?

PBJA is categorized as Options Trading, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PBJA and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 vs 2.52), 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.