PBJN vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PBJN (PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - June) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PBJN returned 10.11% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

PBJN vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBJN achieves a 3.15% return, which is significantly lower than PBFR's 4.52% return.

PBJN

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 3.15%
• 6M: 3.88%
• 1Y: 10.11%
• 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)

PBJN vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PBJN PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - June	3.15%	11.80%	5.47%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.52%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PBJN and PBFR is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.86

The correlation between PBJN and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PBJN vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBJN

PBJN Risk / Return Rank: 87
PBJN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PBJN Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
PBJN Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PBJN Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PBJN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PBJN vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - June (PBJN) 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.

	PBJN	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.99	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.95	4.36	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.66	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.23	4.57	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.77	24.09	+0.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBJN vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBJN Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBJN 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

	PBJN	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	2.99	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.52	1.54	-0.03

Drawdowns

PBJN vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBJN drawdown since its inception was -8.70%, roughly equal to the maximum PBFR drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBJN and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBJN	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.70%	-8.50%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.40%	-2.82%	+0.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-0.16%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.61%	-0.63%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	0.53%	-0.12%

Volatility

PBJN vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - June (PBJN) has a higher volatility of 0.84% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) at 0.64%. This indicates that PBJN'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

	PBJN	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.84%	0.64%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.99%	3.34%	-0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90%	4.33%	-0.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.33%	6.89%	+0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.33%	6.89%	+0.44%

PBJN vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PBJN vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

PBJN 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%
PBJN PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - June	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBJN and PBFR in my portfolio?

PBJN and PBFR have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBJN or PBFR?

PBJN has higher volatility (0.84%) compared to PBFR (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBJN dropped -8.70% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, PBJN or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, PBFR leads with 12.83% vs 10.11% for PBJN. 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, PBJN or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, PBFR has performed better with a 12.83% return vs 10.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBJN or PBFR?

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

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.61), 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.