XVV vs. PBFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XVV (iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF) and PBFR (PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Sustainablility Screened Index, while PBFR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. XVV is passively managed, while PBFR is actively managed. Over the past year, XVV returned 26.65% vs 12.83% for PBFR. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XVV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFR.

Performance

XVV vs. PBFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF (XVV) 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, XVV achieves a 9.37% return, which is significantly higher than PBFR's 4.52% return.

XVV

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 4.81%
• YTD: 9.37%
• 6M: 9.29%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 22.30%
• 5Y*: 13.55%
• 10Y*: —

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)

XVV vs. PBFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XVV iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF	9.37%	17.53%	9.12%
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	4.52%	10.44%	5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between XVV and PBFR is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.89

The correlation between XVV and PBFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

XVV vs. PBFR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XVV	PBFR
Technology	37.5%	36.2%
Financial Services	13.2%	11.9%
Communication Services	12.5%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	11.2%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.4%
Industrials	6.8%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	4.9%
Real Estate	2.1%	1.9%
Basic Materials	2.0%	1.8%
Utilities	1.3%	2.3%
Energy	1.2%	3.5%

Return for Risk

XVV vs. PBFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

XVV

XVV Risk / Return Rank: 59
XVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
XVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
XVV Omega Ratio Rank: 61
XVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
XVV Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

XVV vs. PBFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF (XVV) 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.

	XVV	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.99	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	4.36	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.66	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	4.57	-2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.18	24.09	-12.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XVV vs. PBFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XVV Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the PBFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XVV 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

	XVV	PBFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.99	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	1.54	-0.54

Drawdowns

XVV vs. PBFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XVV drawdown since its inception was -27.20%, which is greater than PBFR's maximum drawdown of -8.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XVV and PBFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	XVV	PBFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.20%	-8.50%	-18.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.59%	-2.82%	-7.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.59%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-0.16%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.88%	-0.63%	-5.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	0.53%	+1.86%

Volatility

XVV vs. PBFR - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF (XVV) has a higher volatility of 3.09% compared to PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) at 0.64%. This indicates that XVV'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

	XVV	PBFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.09%	0.64%	+2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.62%	3.34%	+6.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.68%	4.33%	+8.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.61%	6.89%	+10.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.35%	6.89%	+10.46%

XVV vs. PBFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

XVV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than PBFR's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

XVV vs. PBFR - Dividend Comparison

XVV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, more than PBFR's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PBFR PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XVV iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF	0.88%	0.94%	1.05%	1.25%	1.57%	0.81%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XVV and PBFR in my portfolio?

XVV and PBFR have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XVV or PBFR?

XVV has higher volatility (3.09%) compared to PBFR (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XVV dropped -27.20% vs PBFR's -8.50%.

Which ETF is better, XVV or PBFR?

On 1-year performance, XVV leads with 26.65% vs 12.83% for PBFR. On fees, XVV is cheaper at 0.08% 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, XVV or PBFR?

Over the 1-year period, XVV has performed better with a 26.65% return vs 12.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XVV or PBFR?

XVV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for PBFR.

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

XVV has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.01% for PBFR.

What is the main difference between XVV and PBFR?

XVV is categorized as S&P 500, while PBFR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: iShares and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XVV and 0.50% for PBFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.11), 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.