PFRL vs. BUFP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PFRL (PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF) and BUFP (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFRL is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by PGIM, while BUFP is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500. PFRL is actively managed, while BUFP is passively managed. Over the past year, PFRL returned 6.46% vs 17.24% for BUFP. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFRL charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BUFP.

Performance

PFRL vs. BUFP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFRL achieves a 1.96% return, which is significantly lower than BUFP's 6.23% return.

PFRL

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 6M: 2.91%
• 1Y: 6.46%
• 3Y*: 8.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFP

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 6.23%
• 6M: 7.00%
• 1Y: 17.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PFRL vs. BUFP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PFRL PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF	1.96%	6.25%	4.67%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	6.23%	12.92%	6.36%

Correlation

The correlation between PFRL and BUFP is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.43

PFRL vs. BUFP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PFRL	BUFP
Industrials	97.9%	8.1%
Communication Services	88.1%	10.9%
Energy	11.9%	3.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	36.2%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

PFRL vs. BUFP — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFRL

PFRL Risk / Return Rank: 91
PFRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
PFRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
PFRL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PFRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
PFRL Martin Ratio Rank: 84

BUFP

BUFP Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFP Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BUFP Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFP Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BUFP Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

PFRL vs. BUFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). 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.

	PFRL	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.35	2.77	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.84	4.12	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.73	1.58	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.17	3.93	+1.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.58	21.96	-4.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFRL vs. BUFP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFRL Sharpe Ratio is 3.35, which is comparable to the BUFP Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFRL and BUFP, 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

	PFRL	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.35	2.77	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.67	1.40	+0.27

Drawdowns

PFRL vs. BUFP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFRL drawdown since its inception was -8.83%, smaller than the maximum BUFP drawdown of -11.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFRL and BUFP.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFRL	BUFP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.83%	-11.98%	+3.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.25%	-4.41%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.22%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.44%	-1.00%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	0.79%	-0.42%

Volatility

PFRL vs. BUFP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL) is 0.42%, while PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) has a volatility of 0.95%. This indicates that PFRL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFRL	BUFP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.42%	0.95%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.58%	4.82%	-3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94%	6.27%	-4.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.86%	9.49%	-4.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.86%	9.49%	-4.63%

PFRL vs. BUFP - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFRL has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFRL vs. BUFP - Dividend Comparison

PFRL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.83%, more than BUFP's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.02%	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 PFRL and BUFP in my portfolio?

PFRL and BUFP have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFRL or BUFP?

BUFP has higher volatility (0.95%) compared to PFRL (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFRL dropped -8.83% vs BUFP's -11.98%.

Which ETF is better, PFRL or BUFP?

On 1-year performance, BUFP leads with 17.24% vs 6.46% for PFRL. On fees, BUFP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PFRL has been the lower-risk option at 0.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFRL or BUFP?

Over the 1-year period, BUFP has performed better with a 17.24% return vs 6.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFRL or BUFP?

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

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

PFRL has the higher dividend yield at 6.83%, compared with 0.01% for BUFP.

What is the main difference between PFRL and BUFP?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFRL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.35 vs 2.77), 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.