SPXN vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPXN (ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXN is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Ex-Financials and Real Estate Index, while PBFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. SPXN is passively managed, while PBFR is actively managed. Over the past year, SPXN returned 32.98% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPXN charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFR.

Performance

SPXN vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXN achieves a 13.57% return, which is significantly higher than PBFR's 4.52% return.

SPXN

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: 6.16%
• YTD: 13.57%
• 6M: 13.21%
• 1Y: 32.98%
• 3Y*: 23.31%
• 5Y*: 14.93%
• 10Y*: 16.26%

PBFR

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 4.52%
• 6M: 5.34%
• 1Y: 12.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPXN vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SPXN ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF	13.57%	18.74%	7.25%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.52%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXN and PBFR is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.89

The correlation between SPXN and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPXN vs. PBFR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXN	PBFR
Technology	41.1%	36.2%
Communication Services	13.1%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	10.1%
Healthcare	9.9%	8.4%
Industrials	9.6%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	4.9%
Energy	4.1%	3.5%
Utilities	2.7%	2.3%
Basic Materials	2.1%	1.8%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

SPXN vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXN

SPXN Risk / Return Rank: 78
SPXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SPXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SPXN Omega Ratio Rank: 78
SPXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SPXN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PBFR

PBFR Risk / Return Rank: 90
PBFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBFR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PBFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
PBFR Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

SPXN vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN) and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR). 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.

	SPXN	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.99	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	4.36	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.66	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.58	4.57	-1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.43	24.09	-7.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPXN vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXN Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXN and PBFR, 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

	SPXN	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	2.99	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	1.54	-0.62

Drawdowns

SPXN vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXN drawdown since its inception was -32.10%, which is greater than PBFR's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXN and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXN	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.10%	-8.50%	-23.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.26%	-2.82%	-6.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.56%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.47%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.59%	-0.16%	-0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.00%	-0.63%	-3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	0.53%	+1.48%

Volatility

SPXN vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF (SPXN) has a higher volatility of 3.16% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) at 0.64%. This indicates that SPXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXN	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.16%	0.64%	+2.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.69%	3.34%	+6.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.70%	4.33%	+8.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.16%	6.89%	+10.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.64%	6.89%	+10.75%

SPXN vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXN has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than PBFR's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXN vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

SPXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than PBFR's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXN ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Financials ETF	0.87%	0.98%	1.12%	1.19%	1.35%	0.94%	1.09%	1.41%	1.76%	1.54%	2.60%	0.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXN and PBFR in my portfolio?

SPXN and PBFR have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXN or PBFR?

SPXN has higher volatility (3.16%) compared to PBFR (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXN dropped -32.10% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, SPXN or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, SPXN leads with 32.98% vs 12.83% for PBFR. On fees, SPXN is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, PBFR has been the lower-risk option at 0.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXN or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, SPXN has performed better with a 32.98% return vs 12.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXN or PBFR?

SPXN is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for PBFR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPXN or PBFR?

SPXN has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.01% for PBFR.

What is the main difference between SPXN and PBFR?

SPXN is categorized as S&P 500, while PBFR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPXN and 0.50% for PBFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.61), 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.