SPXV vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPXV (ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Ex-Health Care Index, while PBFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. SPXV is passively managed, while PBFR is actively managed. Over the past year, SPXV returned 29.54% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPXV charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFR.

Performance

SPXV vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF (SPXV) 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, SPXV achieves a 12.35% return, which is significantly higher than PBFR's 4.52% return.

SPXV

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 5.44%
• YTD: 12.35%
• 6M: 12.52%
• 1Y: 29.54%
• 3Y*: 24.48%
• 5Y*: 14.80%
• 10Y*: 16.38%

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)

SPXV vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SPXV ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF	12.35%	18.40%	10.65%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.52%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

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

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

SPXV vs. PBFR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXV	PBFR
Technology	38.9%	36.2%
Financial Services	12.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	12.3%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	10.1%
Industrials	9.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.9%
Energy	3.8%	3.5%
Utilities	2.6%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.1%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%
Healthcare	-	8.4%

Return for Risk

SPXV vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXV

SPXV Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPXV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPXV Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPXV Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPXV Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SPXV Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SPXV vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF (SPXV) 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.

	SPXV	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.99	-0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	4.36	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.66	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.24	4.57	-1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.32	24.09	-9.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPXV vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXV Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXV 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

	SPXV	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.99	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	1.54	-0.63

Drawdowns

SPXV vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXV drawdown since its inception was -34.34%, which is greater than PBFR's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXV and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXV	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.34%	-8.50%	-25.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.15%	-2.82%	-6.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	-0.16%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.52%	-0.63%	-3.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	0.53%	+1.54%

Volatility

SPXV vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF (SPXV) has a higher volatility of 3.16% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) at 0.64%. This indicates that SPXV'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

	SPXV	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	9.65%	3.34%	+6.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.69%	4.33%	+8.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.78%	6.89%	+10.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.01%	6.89%	+11.12%

SPXV vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SPXV vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

SPXV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, 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%
SPXV ProShares S&P 500 Ex-Health Care ETF	0.89%	0.97%	1.12%	1.27%	1.67%	1.11%	1.45%	1.58%	1.89%	1.57%	2.66%	0.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXV and PBFR in my portfolio?

SPXV and PBFR have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXV or PBFR?

SPXV has higher volatility (3.16%) compared to PBFR (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXV dropped -34.34% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, SPXV or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, SPXV leads with 29.54% vs 12.83% for PBFR. On fees, SPXV 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, SPXV or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, SPXV has performed better with a 29.54% return vs 12.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXV or PBFR?

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

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

SPXV has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.01% for PBFR.

What is the main difference between SPXV and PBFR?

SPXV 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 SPXV and 0.50% for PBFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.34), 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.