PBSE vs. PFRL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PBSE (PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - September) and PFRL (PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBSE is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM, while PFRL is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PBSE returned 12.98% vs 6.45% for PFRL. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PBSE charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for PFRL.

Performance

PBSE vs. PFRL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - September (PBSE) and PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBSE achieves a 4.41% return, which is significantly higher than PFRL's 2.02% return.

PBSE

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 4.41%
• 6M: 5.07%
• 1Y: 12.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PFRL

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 2.02%
• 6M: 2.90%
• 1Y: 6.45%
• 3Y*: 8.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PBSE vs. PFRL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PBSE PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - September	4.41%	10.97%	5.75%
PFRL PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF	2.02%	6.25%	5.26%

Correlation

The correlation between PBSE and PFRL is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2024	0.44

Return for Risk

PBSE vs. PFRL — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBSE

PBSE Risk / Return Rank: 89
PBSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PBSE Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PBSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PBSE Martin Ratio Rank: 92

PFRL

PFRL Risk / Return Rank: 91
PFRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PFRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
PFRL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PFRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
PFRL Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

PBSE vs. PFRL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - September (PBSE) and PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL). 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.

	PBSE	PFRL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.88	3.34	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.30	4.84	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.73	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.13	5.16	-1.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.03	17.56	+4.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBSE vs. PFRL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBSE Sharpe Ratio is 2.88, which is comparable to the PFRL Sharpe Ratio of 3.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBSE and PFRL, 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

	PBSE	PFRL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88	3.34	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	1.67	-0.09

Drawdowns

PBSE vs. PFRL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBSE drawdown since its inception was -8.35%, smaller than the maximum PFRL drawdown of -8.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBSE and PFRL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBSE	PFRL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.35%	-8.83%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.15%	-1.25%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-8.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.63%	-0.44%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.59%	0.37%	+0.22%

Volatility

PBSE vs. PFRL - Volatility Comparison

PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - September (PBSE) and PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL) have volatilities of 0.43% and 0.42%, 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

	PBSE	PFRL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.43%	0.42%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.41%	1.58%	+1.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.52%	1.94%	+2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.66%	4.86%	+1.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.66%	4.86%	+1.80%

PBSE vs. PFRL - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBSE has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than PFRL's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBSE vs. PFRL - Dividend Comparison

PBSE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PFRL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.83%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
PBSE PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PFRL PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF	6.83%	7.34%	8.96%	9.84%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBSE and PFRL in my portfolio?

PBSE and PFRL have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBSE or PFRL?

PBSE has higher volatility (0.43%) compared to PFRL (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBSE dropped -8.35% vs PFRL's -8.83%.

Which ETF is better, PBSE or PFRL?

On 1-year performance, PBSE leads with 12.98% vs 6.45% for PFRL. On fees, PBSE is cheaper at 0.50% per year. 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, PBSE or PFRL?

Over the 1-year period, PBSE has performed better with a 12.98% return vs 6.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBSE or PFRL?

PBSE is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for PFRL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PBSE or PFRL?

PFRL has the higher dividend yield at 6.83%, compared with 0.00% for PBSE.

What is the main difference between PBSE and PFRL?

PBSE is categorized as Defined Outcome, while PFRL is Bank Loan. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PBSE and 0.72% for PFRL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFRL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.34 vs 2.88), 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.