PQJA vs. UXJA

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PQJA (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January) and UXJA (FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PQJA returned 17.97% vs 24.05% for UXJA. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PQJA charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for UXJA.

Performance

PQJA vs. UXJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PQJA achieves a 8.36% return, which is significantly lower than UXJA's 11.86% return.

PQJA

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 0.65%
• 6M: 7.21%
• YTD: 8.36%
• 1Y: 17.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.59%

UXJA

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: 1.77%
• 6M: 9.47%
• YTD: 11.86%
• 1Y: 24.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.53%

*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)
PQJA PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January	$48.64K	$72.90K	$142.55K
UXJA FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January	$44.04K	$60.41K	$74.88K

PQJA vs. UXJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PQJA PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January	8.36%	15.10%
UXJA FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January	11.86%	14.47%

Correlation

The correlation between PQJA and UXJA is 0.91, 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.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2025	0.92

The correlation between PQJA and UXJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PQJA vs. UXJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PQJA

PQJA Risk / Return Rank: 80
PQJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PQJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
PQJA Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PQJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
PQJA Martin Ratio Rank: 83

UXJA

UXJA Risk / Return Rank: 65
UXJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
UXJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
UXJA Omega Ratio Rank: 61
UXJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
UXJA Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

PQJA vs. UXJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA). 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.

	PQJA	UXJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.67	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.30	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.29	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	2.46	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.28	9.69	+2.59

PQJA vs. UXJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PQJA Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the UXJA Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PQJA and UXJA, 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

PQJA vs. UXJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQJA drawdown since its inception was -14.72%, smaller than the maximum UXJA drawdown of -20.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQJA and UXJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQJA	UXJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.72%	-20.01%	+5.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.77%	-9.83%	+3.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-0.49%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.58%	-2.89%	+1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	2.49%	-1.02%

Volatility

PQJA vs. UXJA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) is 2.88%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - January (UXJA) has a volatility of 4.28%. This indicates that PQJA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UXJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PQJA	UXJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	4.28%	-1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.46%	11.21%	-3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.90%	14.53%	-5.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.15%	18.36%	-5.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.15%	18.36%	-5.21%

PQJA vs. UXJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQJA has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than UXJA's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PQJA vs. UXJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither PQJA nor UXJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PQJA and UXJA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PQJA and UXJA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PQJA or UXJA?

UXJA has higher volatility (4.28%) compared to PQJA (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQJA dropped -14.72% vs UXJA's -20.01%.

Which ETF is better, PQJA or UXJA?

On 1-year performance, UXJA leads with 24.05% vs 17.97% for PQJA. On fees, PQJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PQJA has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PQJA or UXJA?

Over the 1-year period, UXJA has performed better with a 24.05% return vs 17.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PQJA or UXJA?

PQJA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for UXJA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PQJA or UXJA?

PQJA and UXJA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PQJA and UXJA?

They also come from different issuers: PGIM and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PQJA and 0.85% for UXJA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.67), 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.