RSDE vs. PQJA

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RSDE (FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December) and PQJA (PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January) are both Defined Outcome funds. RSDE is passively managed, while PQJA is actively managed. Over the past year, RSDE returned 14.17% vs 17.15% for PQJA. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RSDE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PQJA.

Performance

RSDE vs. PQJA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSDE achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly higher than PQJA's 7.61% return.

RSDE

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.68%
• 6M: 6.69%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 1Y: 14.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.38%

PQJA

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: -0.06%
• 6M: 6.94%
• YTD: 7.61%
• 1Y: 17.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.16%

*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	$60.73K	$105.19K	$140.83K
RSDE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December	$172.74K	$1.93M	$1.10M

RSDE vs. PQJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RSDE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December	8.72%	8.96%
PQJA PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January	7.61%	16.06%

Correlation

The correlation between RSDE and PQJA is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2025	0.63

The correlation between RSDE and PQJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RSDE vs. PQJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSDE

RSDE Risk / Return Rank: 77
RSDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
RSDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
RSDE Omega Ratio Rank: 75
RSDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
RSDE Martin Ratio Rank: 79

PQJA

PQJA Risk / Return Rank: 77
PQJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
PQJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
PQJA Omega Ratio Rank: 80
PQJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PQJA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

RSDE vs. PQJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	RSDE	PQJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.80	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	2.58	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.37	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.33	10.91	-0.58

RSDE vs. PQJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the PQJA Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSDE and PQJA, 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

RSDE vs. PQJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSDE drawdown since its inception was -10.77%, smaller than the maximum PQJA drawdown of -14.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSDE and PQJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSDE	PQJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.77%	-14.72%	+3.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.83%	-6.77%	+1.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-1.12%	+0.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.18%	-1.58%	+0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.29%	1.47%	-0.18%

Volatility

RSDE vs. PQJA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) is 1.25%, while PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that RSDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PQJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSDE	PQJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.25%	2.84%	-1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.85%	7.48%	-2.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.77%	8.93%	-1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.60%	13.15%	-2.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.60%	13.15%	-2.55%

RSDE vs. PQJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSDE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PQJA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSDE vs. PQJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither RSDE nor PQJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSDE and PQJA in my portfolio?

RSDE and PQJA have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSDE or PQJA?

PQJA has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to RSDE (1.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSDE dropped -10.77% vs PQJA's -14.72%.

Which ETF is better, RSDE or PQJA?

On 1-year performance, PQJA leads with 17.15% vs 14.17% for RSDE. On fees, PQJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, RSDE has been the lower-risk option at 1.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSDE or PQJA?

Over the 1-year period, PQJA has performed better with a 17.15% return vs 14.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSDE or PQJA?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between RSDE and PQJA?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.73), 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.