PJFG vs. PBJA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PJFG (PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF) and PBJA (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January) are both exchange-traded funds - PJFG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by PGIM, while PBJA is a Options Trading fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PJFG returned 19.48% vs 12.88% for PBJA. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PJFG charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBJA.

Performance

PJFG vs. PBJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF (PJFG) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PJFG achieves a 6.93% return, which is significantly higher than PBJA's 4.47% return.

PJFG

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 6.68%
• YTD: 6.93%
• 6M: 5.99%
• 1Y: 19.48%
• 3Y*: 24.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBJA

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 4.47%
• 6M: 5.19%
• 1Y: 12.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PJFG vs. PBJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PJFG PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF	6.93%	16.94%	33.85%
PBJA PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January	4.47%	10.33%	12.18%

Correlation

The correlation between PJFG and PBJA is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2024	0.83

The correlation between PJFG and PBJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PJFG vs. PBJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PJFG

PJFG Risk / Return Rank: 29
PJFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
PJFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
PJFG Omega Ratio Rank: 32
PJFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
PJFG Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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

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.

PJFG vs. PBJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF (PJFG) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA). 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.

	PJFG	PBJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	2.80	-1.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	4.19	-2.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.60	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.03	3.61	-2.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.23	19.63	-16.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PJFG vs. PBJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PJFG Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the PBJA Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PJFG and PBJA, 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

	PJFG	PBJA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	2.80	-1.64
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.36	1.77	-0.41

Drawdowns

PJFG vs. PBJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PJFG drawdown since its inception was -24.24%, which is greater than PBJA's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PJFG and PBJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PJFG	PBJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.24%	-8.50%	-15.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.00%	-3.58%	-15.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.90%	-0.02%	-1.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-0.55%	-3.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.04%	0.66%	+5.38%

Volatility

PJFG vs. PBJA - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Focused Growth ETF (PJFG) has a higher volatility of 4.37% compared to PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA) at 0.63%. This indicates that PJFG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PJFG	PBJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.37%	0.63%	+3.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.87%	3.71%	+9.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.82%	4.61%	+12.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.86%	6.37%	+14.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.86%	6.37%	+14.49%

PJFG vs. PBJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PJFG has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than PBJA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

PJFG vs. PBJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither PJFG nor PBJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PJFG and PBJA in my portfolio?

PJFG and PBJA have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PJFG or PBJA?

PJFG has higher volatility (4.37%) compared to PBJA (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PJFG dropped -24.24% vs PBJA's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, PJFG or PBJA?

On 1-year performance, PJFG leads with 19.48% vs 12.88% for PBJA. On fees, PBJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBJA has been the lower-risk option at 0.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PJFG or PBJA?

Over the 1-year period, PJFG has performed better with a 19.48% return vs 12.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PJFG or PBJA?

PBJA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PJFG.

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

PJFG and PBJA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PJFG and PBJA?

PJFG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while PBJA is Options Trading. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PJFG and 0.50% for PBJA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 1.16), 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.