TFJL vs. PMSE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TFJL (Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly) and PMSE (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - September) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TFJL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMSE.

Performance

TFJL vs. PMSE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly (TFJL) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - September (PMSE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TFJL achieves a -1.34% return, which is significantly lower than PMSE's 2.81% return.

TFJL

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.73%
• YTD: -1.34%
• 6M: -1.61%
• 1Y: -1.74%
• 3Y*: -1.49%
• 5Y*: -3.56%
• 10Y*: —

PMSE

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 2.81%
• 6M: 2.84%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TFJL vs. PMSE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TFJL Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly	-1.34%	0.39%
PMSE PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - September	2.81%	2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between TFJL and PMSE is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 2, 2025	0.21

Return for Risk

TFJL vs. PMSE — Risk / Return Rank

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

TFJL

TFJL Risk / Return Rank: 7
TFJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
TFJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
TFJL Omega Ratio Rank: 6
TFJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
TFJL Martin Ratio Rank: 7

PMSE

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

TFJL vs. PMSE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator 20+ Year Treasury Bond 5 Floor ETF - Quarterly (TFJL) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - September (PMSE). 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.

	TFJL	PMSE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.21	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.24	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.21	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.44	—	—

Drawdowns

TFJL vs. PMSE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TFJL drawdown since its inception was -25.45%, which is greater than PMSE's maximum drawdown of -1.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TFJL and PMSE.

Drawdown Indicators

	TFJL	PMSE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.45%	-1.44%	-24.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.72%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.04%	-0.15%	-21.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.07%	-0.17%	-14.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.01%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TFJL	PMSE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.05%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.82%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.31%	2.28%	+6.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.38%	2.28%	+7.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.02%	2.28%	+6.74%

TFJL vs. PMSE - Expense Ratio Comparison

TFJL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PMSE's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

TFJL vs. PMSE - Dividend Comparison

Neither TFJL nor PMSE has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TFJL and PMSE in my portfolio?

TFJL and PMSE have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, TFJL or PMSE?

On fees, PMSE is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, TFJL or PMSE?

PMSE is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for TFJL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TFJL or PMSE?

TFJL and PMSE have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between TFJL and PMSE?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for TFJL and 0.50% for PMSE.