SPXU vs. PMJA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SPXU (ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500) and PMJA (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXU is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index (-300%), while PMJA is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. SPXU is passively managed, while PMJA is actively managed. Over the past year, SPXU returned -43.92% vs 7.11% for PMJA. At a correlation of -0.92, they often move in opposite directions. SPXU charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMJA.

Performance

SPXU vs. PMJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPXU achieves a -20.19% return, which is significantly lower than PMJA's 2.26% return.

SPXU

• 1D: 4.24%
• 1M: 3.93%
• YTD: -20.19%
• 6M: -17.81%
• 1Y: -43.92%
• 3Y*: -40.85%
• 5Y*: -33.55%
• 10Y*: -41.98%

PMJA

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 2.26%
• 6M: 2.38%
• 1Y: 7.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPXU vs. PMJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	-20.19%	-41.73%
PMJA PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January	2.26%	6.76%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXU and PMJA is -0.90, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2025	-0.92

The correlation between SPXU and PMJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.92 to -0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPXU vs. PMJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXU

SPXU Risk / Return Rank: 1
SPXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Martin Ratio Rank: 1

PMJA

PMJA Risk / Return Rank: 94
PMJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PMJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PMJA Omega Ratio Rank: 96
PMJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
PMJA Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

SPXU vs. PMJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA). 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.

	SPXU	PMJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.18	3.53	-4.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.90	5.63	-7.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.79	1.79	-1.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.94	4.91	-5.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.61	24.37	-25.98

SPXU vs. PMJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXU Sharpe Ratio is -1.18, which is lower than the PMJA Sharpe Ratio of 3.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXU and PMJA, 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

SPXU vs. PMJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXU drawdown since its inception was -99.99%, which is greater than PMJA's maximum drawdown of -2.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXU and PMJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXU	PMJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.99%	-2.98%	-97.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.11%	-1.45%	-45.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-84.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.23%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.99%	-0.22%	-99.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-93.33%	-0.33%	-93.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.37%	0.29%	+29.08%

Volatility

SPXU vs. PMJA - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) has a higher volatility of 14.32% compared to PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA) at 0.54%. This indicates that SPXU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPXU	PMJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.32%	0.54%	+13.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.53%	1.57%	+27.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.35%	2.04%	+35.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.62%	2.83%	+47.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.43%	2.83%	+50.60%

SPXU vs. PMJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXU has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than PMJA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXU vs. PMJA - Dividend Comparison

SPXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.35%, while PMJA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMJA PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	7.35%	7.02%	9.53%	7.06%	0.39%	0.00%	0.70%	2.14%	1.41%	0.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXU and PMJA in my portfolio?

SPXU and PMJA have a correlation of -0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXU or PMJA?

SPXU has higher volatility (14.32%) compared to PMJA (0.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXU dropped -99.99% vs PMJA's -2.98%.

Which ETF is better, SPXU or PMJA?

On 1-year performance, PMJA leads with 7.11% vs -43.92% for SPXU. On fees, PMJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PMJA has been the lower-risk option at 0.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXU or PMJA?

Over the 1-year period, PMJA has performed better with a 7.11% return vs -43.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXU or PMJA?

PMJA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SPXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPXU or PMJA?

SPXU has the higher dividend yield at 7.35%, compared with 0.00% for PMJA.

What is the main difference between SPXU and PMJA?

SPXU is categorized as S&P 500, while PMJA is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SPXU and 0.50% for PMJA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.53 vs -1.18), 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.