PSMJ vs. BUFP

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PSMJ (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF) and BUFP (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. PSMJ is actively managed, while BUFP is passively managed. Over the past year, PSMJ returned 16.12% vs 17.24% for BUFP. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSMJ charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BUFP.

Performance

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF (PSMJ) 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, PSMJ achieves a 4.54% return, which is significantly lower than BUFP's 6.23% return.

PSMJ

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 4.54%
• 6M: 5.78%
• 1Y: 16.12%
• 3Y*: 13.98%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFP

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 6.23%
• 6M: 7.00%
• 1Y: 17.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PSMJ Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF	4.54%	13.29%	6.44%
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	6.23%	12.92%	6.36%

Correlation

The correlation between PSMJ and BUFP is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.89

The correlation between PSMJ and BUFP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSMJ	BUFP
Technology	33.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	12.5%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.3%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.1%
Healthcare	9.6%	8.4%
Industrials	8.4%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.9%
Energy	4.2%	3.5%
Utilities	2.6%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%

Return for Risk

PSMJ vs. BUFP — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSMJ

PSMJ Risk / Return Rank: 89
PSMJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PSMJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PSMJ Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PSMJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
PSMJ Martin Ratio Rank: 93

BUFP

BUFP Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUFP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BUFP Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BUFP Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFP Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BUFP Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF (PSMJ) 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.

	PSMJ	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	2.77	+0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.33	4.12	+0.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.58	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.60	3.93	+0.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	25.33	21.96	+3.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSMJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is comparable to the BUFP Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSMJ 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSMJ	BUFP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83	2.77	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	1.40	-0.22

Drawdowns

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSMJ drawdown since its inception was -10.87%, smaller than the maximum BUFP drawdown of -11.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSMJ and BUFP.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSMJ	BUFP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.87%	-11.98%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.70%	-4.41%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.22%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.37%	-1.00%	-0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	0.79%	-0.12%

Volatility

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF (PSMJ) is 0.41%, while PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) has a volatility of 0.95%. This indicates that PSMJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSMJ	BUFP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.41%	0.95%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.89%	4.82%	-0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.76%	6.27%	-0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.96%	9.49%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.96%	9.49%	-0.53%

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PSMJ vs. BUFP - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFP PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PSMJ Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSMJ and BUFP in my portfolio?

PSMJ and BUFP have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSMJ or BUFP?

BUFP has higher volatility (0.95%) compared to PSMJ (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSMJ dropped -10.87% vs BUFP's -11.98%.

Which ETF is better, PSMJ or BUFP?

On 1-year performance, BUFP leads with 17.24% vs 16.12% for PSMJ. On fees, BUFP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PSMJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSMJ or BUFP?

Over the 1-year period, BUFP has performed better with a 17.24% return vs 16.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSMJ or BUFP?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between PSMJ and BUFP?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for PSMJ and 0.50% for BUFP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 2.77), 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.