XJAN vs. PMDE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XJAN (FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January) and PMDE (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - XJAN is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while PMDE is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY). XJAN is actively managed, while PMDE is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XJAN charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMDE.

Performance

XJAN vs. PMDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January (XJAN) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XJAN achieves a 3.66% return, which is significantly higher than PMDE's 2.51% return.

XJAN

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.01%
• YTD: 3.66%
• 6M: 3.81%
• 1Y: 10.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PMDE

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 2.51%
• 6M: 2.53%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XJAN vs. PMDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XJAN FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January	3.66%	0.86%
PMDE PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December	2.51%	0.44%

Correlation

The correlation between XJAN and PMDE is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 2025	0.84

Return for Risk

XJAN vs. PMDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XJAN

XJAN Risk / Return Rank: 79
XJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
XJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
XJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 89
XJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
XJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PMDE

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.

XJAN vs. PMDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January (XJAN) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE). 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.

	XJAN	PMDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.07	—	—

Drawdowns

XJAN vs. PMDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XJAN drawdown since its inception was -10.04%, which is greater than PMDE's maximum drawdown of -1.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XJAN and PMDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XJAN	PMDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.04%	-1.59%	-8.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.05%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.21%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.58%	-0.25%	-0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.71%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XJAN	PMDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.29%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.78%	2.47%	+2.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.19%	2.47%	+4.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.19%	2.47%	+4.72%

XJAN vs. PMDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XJAN has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PMDE's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

XJAN vs. PMDE - Dividend Comparison

Neither XJAN nor PMDE has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XJAN and PMDE in my portfolio?

XJAN and PMDE have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XJAN or PMDE?

On fees, PMDE 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, XJAN or PMDE?

PMDE is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for XJAN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XJAN or PMDE?

XJAN and PMDE have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between XJAN and PMDE?

XJAN is categorized as Options Trading, while PMDE is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for XJAN and 0.50% for PMDE.