PMJA vs. DECM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PMJA (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January) and DECM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December) are both Defined Outcome funds. PMJA is actively managed, while DECM is passively managed. Over the past year, PMJA returned 6.82% vs 7.18% for DECM. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PMJA charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DECM.

Performance

PMJA vs. DECM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMJA achieves a 3.20% return, which is significantly lower than DECM's 3.38% return.

PMJA

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.69%
• 6M: 2.64%
• YTD: 3.20%
• 1Y: 6.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.32%

DECM

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.68%
• 6M: 2.91%
• YTD: 3.38%
• 1Y: 7.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.29%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	$27.23K	$20.20K	$110.39K
PMJA PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January	$3.57K	$1.92K	$2.93K

PMJA vs. DECM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PMJA PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January	3.20%	6.76%
DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December	3.38%	6.85%

Correlation

The correlation between PMJA and DECM is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2025	0.91

The correlation between PMJA and DECM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PMJA vs. DECM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PMJA

PMJA Risk / Return Rank: 96
PMJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PMJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PMJA Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PMJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
PMJA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

DECM

DECM Risk / Return Rank: 95
DECM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DECM Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DECM Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DECM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DECM Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PMJA vs. DECM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PMJA	DECM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.40	3.03	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.43	4.72	+0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.75	1.65	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.71	4.22	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.28	21.60	+1.68

PMJA vs. DECM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMJA Sharpe Ratio is 3.40, which is comparable to the DECM Sharpe Ratio of 3.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMJA and DECM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PMJA vs. DECM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMJA drawdown since its inception was -2.98%, roughly equal to the maximum DECM drawdown of -3.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMJA and DECM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMJA	DECM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.98%	-3.00%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.45%	-1.71%	+0.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.32%	-0.35%	+0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.29%	0.33%	-0.04%

Volatility

PMJA vs. DECM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA) is 0.50%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December (DECM) has a volatility of 0.59%. This indicates that PMJA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DECM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMJA	DECM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.50%	0.59%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.55%	1.93%	-0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02%	2.38%	-0.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.76%	2.91%	-0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.76%	2.91%	-0.15%

PMJA vs. DECM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMJA has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than DECM's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMJA vs. DECM - Dividend Comparison

Neither PMJA nor DECM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMJA and DECM in my portfolio?

PMJA and DECM have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PMJA or DECM?

DECM has higher volatility (0.59%) compared to PMJA (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMJA dropped -2.98% vs DECM's -3.00%.

Which ETF is better, PMJA or DECM?

On 1-year performance, DECM leads with 7.18% vs 6.82% for PMJA. On fees, PMJA 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, PMJA or DECM?

Over the 1-year period, DECM has performed better with a 7.18% return vs 6.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PMJA or DECM?

PMJA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DECM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PMJA or DECM?

PMJA and DECM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PMJA and DECM?

They also come from different issuers: PGIM and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PMJA and 0.85% for DECM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.40 vs 3.03), 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.