SEPP vs. PTRB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SEPP (PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September) and PTRB (PGIM Total Return Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEPP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM, while PTRB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by PGIM. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SEPP returned 17.87% vs 5.81% for PTRB. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEPP charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for PTRB.

Performance

SEPP vs. PTRB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September (SEPP) and PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEPP achieves a 5.73% return, which is significantly higher than PTRB's 0.34% return.

SEPP

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 5.73%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 17.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PTRB

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 0.34%
• 6M: 0.41%
• 1Y: 5.81%
• 3Y*: 5.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SEPP vs. PTRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEPP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September	5.73%	14.06%	6.79%
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	0.34%	7.63%	2.48%

Correlation

The correlation between SEPP and PTRB is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2024	0.20

Return for Risk

SEPP vs. PTRB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEPP

SEPP Risk / Return Rank: 84
SEPP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
SEPP Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SEPP Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SEPP Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
SEPP Martin Ratio Rank: 89

PTRB

PTRB Risk / Return Rank: 40
PTRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PTRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PTRB Omega Ratio Rank: 39
PTRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PTRB Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

SEPP vs. PTRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September (SEPP) and PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB). 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.

	SEPP	PTRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	1.46	+1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	2.13	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.26	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	2.01	+1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.63	6.00	+13.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEPP vs. PTRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEPP Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is higher than the PTRB Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEPP and PTRB, 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

	SEPP	PTRB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.65	1.46	+1.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.42	0.06	+1.37

Drawdowns

SEPP vs. PTRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEPP drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, smaller than the maximum PTRB drawdown of -19.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEPP and PTRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEPP	PTRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-19.17%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.74%	-2.90%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.52%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-1.61%	+1.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-7.64%	+6.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	0.97%	-0.06%

Volatility

SEPP vs. PTRB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September (SEPP) is 1.28%, while PGIM Total Return Bond ETF (PTRB) has a volatility of 1.37%. This indicates that SEPP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PTRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEPP	PTRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.28%	1.37%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.21%	2.83%	+2.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.79%	4.01%	+2.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.32%	6.25%	+3.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.32%	6.25%	+3.07%

SEPP vs. PTRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEPP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than PTRB's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEPP vs. PTRB - Dividend Comparison

SEPP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PTRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PTRB PGIM Total Return Bond ETF	4.74%	4.73%	5.10%	4.62%	4.07%	0.12%
SEPP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEPP and PTRB in my portfolio?

SEPP and PTRB have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEPP or PTRB?

PTRB has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to SEPP (1.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEPP dropped -11.75% vs PTRB's -19.17%.

Which ETF is better, SEPP or PTRB?

On 1-year performance, SEPP leads with 17.87% vs 5.81% for PTRB. On fees, PTRB is cheaper at 0.49% 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, SEPP or PTRB?

Over the 1-year period, SEPP has performed better with a 17.87% return vs 5.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEPP or PTRB?

PTRB is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SEPP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEPP or PTRB?

PTRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.74%, compared with 0.00% for SEPP.

What is the main difference between SEPP and PTRB?

SEPP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while PTRB is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SEPP and 0.49% for PTRB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEPP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.46), 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.