XSEP vs. PBJA

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XSEP (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September) and PBJA (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XSEP returned 10.58% vs 12.75% for PBJA. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XSEP charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBJA.

Performance

XSEP 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 - September (XSEP) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with XSEP having a 4.53% return and PBJA slightly lower at 4.31%.

XSEP

• 1D: -0.00%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 4.53%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 10.58%
• 3Y*: 9.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBJA

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 4.31%
• 6M: 4.54%
• 1Y: 12.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XSEP vs. PBJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XSEP FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September	4.53%	8.94%	8.41%
PBJA PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January	4.31%	10.33%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between XSEP and PBJA is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2024	0.85

The correlation between XSEP and PBJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XSEP vs. PBJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSEP

XSEP Risk / Return Rank: 75
XSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
XSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
XSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
XSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PBJA

PBJA Risk / Return Rank: 86
PBJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PBJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
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.

XSEP 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 - September (XSEP) 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.

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.

	XSEP	PBJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	2.74	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	4.10	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.59	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	3.58	-0.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.13	19.20	-3.07

XSEP vs. PBJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the PBJA Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSEP 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.

Drawdowns

XSEP vs. PBJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSEP drawdown since its inception was -9.21%, which is greater than PBJA's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSEP and PBJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSEP	PBJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.21%	-8.50%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.51%	-3.58%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-0.23%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.54%	-0.55%	+0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	0.67%	-0.01%

Volatility

XSEP vs. PBJA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September (XSEP) is 0.97%, while PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA) has a volatility of 1.32%. This indicates that XSEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSEP	PBJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	1.32%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.91%	3.91%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.84%	4.68%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.99%	6.36%	+0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.99%	6.36%	+0.63%

XSEP vs. PBJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XSEP vs. PBJA - Dividend Comparison

Neither XSEP nor PBJA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSEP and PBJA in my portfolio?

XSEP and PBJA 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, XSEP or PBJA?

PBJA has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to XSEP (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSEP dropped -9.21% vs PBJA's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, XSEP or PBJA?

On 1-year performance, PBJA leads with 12.75% vs 10.58% for XSEP. On fees, PBJA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, XSEP has been the lower-risk option at 0.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSEP or PBJA?

Over the 1-year period, PBJA has performed better with a 12.75% return vs 10.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSEP or PBJA?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between XSEP and PBJA?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 2.20), 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.