PJBF vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PJBF (PGIM Jennison Better Future ETF) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PJBF is a Global Equities fund actively managed by PGIM, while PBFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PJBF returned 18.35% vs 13.38% for PBFR. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PJBF charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFR.

Performance

PJBF vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Better Future ETF (PJBF) 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, PJBF achieves a 10.32% return, which is significantly higher than PBFR's 4.69% return.

PJBF

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 10.32%
• 6M: 9.29%
• 1Y: 18.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBFR

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.43%
• YTD: 4.69%
• 6M: 5.64%
• 1Y: 13.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PJBF vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PJBF PGIM Jennison Better Future ETF	10.32%	5.13%	-1.63%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.69%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PJBF and PBFR is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.79

The correlation between PJBF and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

PJBF vs. PBFR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PJBF	PBFR
Technology	40.3%	36.2%
Industrials	18.0%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	10.1%
Healthcare	11.2%	8.4%
Communication Services	9.6%	10.9%
Financial Services	2.8%	11.9%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	4.9%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Energy	-	3.5%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

PJBF vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PJBF

PJBF Risk / Return Rank: 25
PJBF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
PJBF Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
PJBF Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PJBF Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
PJBF Martin Ratio Rank: 25

PBFR

PBFR Risk / Return Rank: 91
PBFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PBFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PBFR Omega Ratio Rank: 94
PBFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
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.

PJBF vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Better Future ETF (PJBF) 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.

	PJBF	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	3.11	-2.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	4.54	-3.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.69	-0.51
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	4.83	-3.78
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.37	25.47	-22.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PJBF vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PJBF Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is lower than the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 3.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PJBF 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

	PJBF	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	3.11	-2.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	1.56	-0.90

Drawdowns

PJBF vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PJBF drawdown since its inception was -25.67%, which is greater than PBFR's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PJBF and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PJBF	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.67%	-8.50%	-17.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.41%	-2.82%	-15.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-0.63%	-4.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.74%	0.53%	+5.21%

Volatility

PJBF vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Better Future ETF (PJBF) has a higher volatility of 6.15% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) at 0.71%. This indicates that PJBF'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

	PJBF	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.15%	0.71%	+5.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.77%	3.33%	+12.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.56%	4.32%	+15.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.52%	6.90%	+14.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.52%	6.90%	+14.62%

PJBF vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PJBF has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than PBFR's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

PJBF vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

PJBF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, more than PBFR's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%
PJBF PGIM Jennison Better Future ETF	0.22%	0.24%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PJBF and PBFR in my portfolio?

PJBF and PBFR have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PJBF or PBFR?

PJBF has higher volatility (6.15%) compared to PBFR (0.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PJBF dropped -25.67% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, PJBF or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, PJBF leads with 18.35% vs 13.38% for PBFR. On fees, PBFR is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBFR has been the lower-risk option at 0.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PJBF or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, PJBF has performed better with a 18.35% return vs 13.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PJBF or PBFR?

PBFR is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for PJBF.

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

PJBF has the higher dividend yield at 0.22%, compared with 0.01% for PBFR.

What is the main difference between PJBF and PBFR?

PJBF is categorized as Global Equities, while PBFR is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for PJBF and 0.50% for PBFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.11 vs 0.94), 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.