XMAR vs. PBJA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XMAR (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March) and PBJA (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XMAR returned 13.17% vs 13.25% for PBJA. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XMAR charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBJA.

Performance

XMAR vs. PBJA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XMAR achieves a 6.66% return, which is significantly higher than PBJA's 4.49% return.

XMAR

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 6.66%
• 6M: 7.46%
• 1Y: 13.17%
• 3Y*: 11.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBJA

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.55%
• YTD: 4.49%
• 6M: 5.37%
• 1Y: 13.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XMAR vs. PBJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XMAR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March	6.66%	10.30%	10.30%
PBJA PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January	4.49%	10.33%	12.18%

Correlation

The correlation between XMAR and PBJA is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2024	0.80

The correlation between XMAR and PBJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XMAR vs. PBJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

XMAR

XMAR Risk / Return Rank: 97
XMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
XMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

PBJA

PBJA Risk / Return Rank: 86
PBJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
PBJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PBJA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PBJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PBJA Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

XMAR vs. PBJA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA). 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.

	XMAR	PBJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.40	2.88	+1.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	7.61	4.31	+3.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.22	1.62	+0.60
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.04	3.75	+5.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	69.02	20.44	+48.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XMAR vs. PBJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XMAR Sharpe Ratio is 4.40, which is higher than the PBJA Sharpe Ratio of 2.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XMAR and PBJA, 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

	XMAR	PBJA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.40	2.88	+1.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.13	1.77	+0.36

Drawdowns

XMAR vs. PBJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XMAR drawdown since its inception was -7.29%, smaller than the maximum PBJA drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XMAR and PBJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	XMAR	PBJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.29%	-8.50%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.48%	-3.58%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	0.00%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.30%	-0.55%	+0.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.19%	0.66%	-0.47%

Volatility

XMAR vs. PBJA - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA) have volatilities of 0.66% and 0.64%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XMAR	PBJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	0.64%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.40%	3.70%	-1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01%	4.61%	-1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.56%	6.38%	-0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.56%	6.38%	-0.82%

XMAR vs. PBJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

XMAR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PBJA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

XMAR vs. PBJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither XMAR nor PBJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XMAR and PBJA in my portfolio?

XMAR and PBJA have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XMAR or PBJA?

XMAR has higher volatility (0.66%) compared to PBJA (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XMAR dropped -7.29% vs PBJA's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, XMAR or PBJA?

On 1-year performance, PBJA leads with 13.25% vs 13.17% for XMAR. On fees, PBJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XMAR or PBJA?

Over the 1-year period, PBJA has performed better with a 13.25% return vs 13.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XMAR or PBJA?

PBJA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for XMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XMAR or PBJA?

XMAR and PBJA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between XMAR and PBJA?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for XMAR and 0.50% for PBJA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.40 vs 2.88), 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.