PMFB vs. VOOG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PMFB (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February) and VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PMFB is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM, while VOOG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. PMFB is actively managed, while VOOG is passively managed. Over the past year, PMFB returned 8.06% vs 34.04% for VOOG. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PMFB charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VOOG.

Performance

PMFB vs. VOOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February (PMFB) and Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMFB achieves a 2.56% return, which is significantly lower than VOOG's 13.78% return.

PMFB

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 2.56%
• 6M: 3.26%
• 1Y: 8.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VOOG

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 7.44%
• YTD: 13.78%
• 6M: 13.58%
• 1Y: 34.04%
• 3Y*: 28.13%
• 5Y*: 16.03%
• 10Y*: 18.15%

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

PMFB vs. VOOG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PMFB PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February	2.56%	6.28%
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	13.78%	19.97%

Correlation

The correlation between PMFB and VOOG is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2025	0.82

The correlation between PMFB and VOOG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PMFB vs. VOOG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMFB

PMFB Risk / Return Rank: 95
PMFB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PMFB Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PMFB Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PMFB Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PMFB Martin Ratio Rank: 95

VOOG

VOOG Risk / Return Rank: 58
VOOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VOOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VOOG Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VOOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VOOG Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

PMFB vs. VOOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February (PMFB) and Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG). 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.

	PMFB	VOOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.83	2.16	+1.67
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	6.15	2.91	+3.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.88	1.37	+0.51
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.04	2.49	+3.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	31.52	10.32	+21.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PMFB vs. VOOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMFB Sharpe Ratio is 3.83, which is higher than the VOOG Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMFB and VOOG, 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

	PMFB	VOOG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.83	2.16	+1.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.43	0.91	+1.52

Drawdowns

PMFB vs. VOOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMFB drawdown since its inception was -2.94%, smaller than the maximum VOOG drawdown of -32.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMFB and VOOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMFB	VOOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.94%	-32.73%	+29.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.34%	-13.71%	+12.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.73%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-1.08%	+1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.37%	-4.97%	+4.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.26%	3.31%	-3.05%

Volatility

PMFB vs. VOOG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February (PMFB) is 0.37%, while Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) has a volatility of 4.32%. This indicates that PMFB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMFB	VOOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.37%	4.32%	-3.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.43%	12.41%	-10.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12%	15.85%	-13.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.77%	21.19%	-18.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.77%	20.73%	-17.96%

PMFB vs. VOOG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMFB has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VOOG's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMFB vs. VOOG - Dividend Comparison

PMFB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VOOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMFB PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.44%	0.49%	0.49%	1.12%	0.93%	0.53%	0.88%	1.26%	1.34%	1.32%	1.47%	1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMFB and VOOG in my portfolio?

PMFB and VOOG have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PMFB or VOOG?

VOOG has higher volatility (4.32%) compared to PMFB (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMFB dropped -2.94% vs VOOG's -32.73%.

Which ETF is better, PMFB or VOOG?

On 1-year performance, VOOG leads with 34.04% vs 8.06% for PMFB. On fees, VOOG is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, PMFB has been the lower-risk option at 0.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PMFB or VOOG?

Over the 1-year period, VOOG has performed better with a 34.04% return vs 8.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PMFB or VOOG?

VOOG is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for PMFB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PMFB or VOOG?

VOOG has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.00% for PMFB.

What is the main difference between PMFB and VOOG?

PMFB is categorized as Defined Outcome, while VOOG is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PMFB and 0.07% for VOOG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMFB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.83 vs 2.16), 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.