PSCJ vs. BUFP

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PSCJ (Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (July) ETF) and BUFP (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds - PSCJ tracks the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust while BUFP tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PSCJ returned 11.47% vs 14.24% for BUFP. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PSCJ charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BUFP.

Performance

PSCJ vs. BUFP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (July) ETF (PSCJ) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSCJ achieves a 5.60% return, which is significantly lower than BUFP's 7.12% return.

PSCJ

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 0.50%
• 6M: 4.87%
• YTD: 5.60%
• 1Y: 11.47%
• 3Y*: 12.35%
• 5Y*: 9.02%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.97%

BUFP

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 0.69%
• 6M: 6.15%
• YTD: 7.12%
• 1Y: 14.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.53%

*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)
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	$1.13M	$1.22M	$1.53M
PSCJ Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (July) ETF	$6.17K	$14.58K	$11.22K

PSCJ vs. BUFP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PSCJ Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (July) ETF	5.60%	12.80%	6.47%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	7.12%	12.92%	6.30%

Correlation

The correlation between PSCJ and BUFP 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 Jun 13, 2024	0.90

The correlation between PSCJ and BUFP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSCJ vs. BUFP — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSCJ

PSCJ Risk / Return Rank: 86
PSCJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
PSCJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
PSCJ Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PSCJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PSCJ Martin Ratio Rank: 90

BUFP

BUFP Risk / Return Rank: 88
BUFP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUFP Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFP Omega Ratio Rank: 90
BUFP Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BUFP Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

PSCJ vs. BUFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (July) ETF (PSCJ) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP). 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.

	PSCJ	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	2.06	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	3.03	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.41	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	3.02	-0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.31	16.13	-1.82

PSCJ vs. BUFP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSCJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the BUFP Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSCJ and BUFP, 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

PSCJ vs. BUFP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSCJ drawdown since its inception was -11.87%, roughly equal to the maximum BUFP drawdown of -11.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSCJ and BUFP.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSCJ	BUFP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.87%	-11.98%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.16%	-4.41%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.87%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.12%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.13%	-0.97%	-1.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	0.83%	-0.07%

Volatility

PSCJ vs. BUFP - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (July) ETF (PSCJ) has a higher volatility of 1.95% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) at 1.63%. This indicates that PSCJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSCJ	BUFP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.95%	1.63%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.28%	5.23%	-0.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.32%	6.48%	-1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.67%	9.30%	-0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.63%	9.30%	-0.67%

PSCJ vs. BUFP - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSCJ has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than BUFP's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSCJ vs. BUFP - Dividend Comparison

PSCJ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BUFP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.02%
PSCJ Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (July) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSCJ and BUFP in my portfolio?

PSCJ and BUFP 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, PSCJ or BUFP?

PSCJ has higher volatility (1.95%) compared to BUFP (1.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSCJ dropped -11.87% vs BUFP's -11.98%.

Which ETF is better, PSCJ or BUFP?

On 1-year performance, BUFP leads with 14.24% vs 11.47% for PSCJ. On fees, BUFP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, BUFP has been the lower-risk option at 1.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSCJ or BUFP?

Over the 1-year period, BUFP has performed better with a 14.24% return vs 11.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSCJ or BUFP?

BUFP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for PSCJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSCJ or BUFP?

BUFP has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for PSCJ.

What is the main difference between PSCJ and BUFP?

PSCJ tracks SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, while BUFP tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for PSCJ and 0.50% for BUFP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 2.03), 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.