XVV vs. PMJA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XVV (iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF) and PMJA (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January) are both exchange-traded funds - XVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Sustainablility Screened Index, while PMJA is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. XVV is passively managed, while PMJA is actively managed. Over the past year, XVV returned 22.18% vs 7.11% for PMJA. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XVV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMJA.

Performance

XVV vs. PMJA - 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 S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XVV achieves a 6.55% return, which is significantly higher than PMJA's 2.26% return.

XVV

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: -1.49%
• YTD: 6.55%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 20.50%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: —

PMJA

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 2.26%
• 6M: 2.38%
• 1Y: 7.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XVV vs. PMJA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XVV iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF	6.55%	17.53%
PMJA PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January	2.26%	6.76%

Correlation

The correlation between XVV and PMJA 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, 2025	0.92

The correlation between XVV and PMJA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XVV vs. PMJA — Risk / Return Rank

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

XVV

XVV Risk / Return Rank: 50
XVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
XVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
XVV Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
XVV Martin Ratio Rank: 54

PMJA

PMJA Risk / Return Rank: 94
PMJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PMJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PMJA Omega Ratio Rank: 96
PMJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
PMJA Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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. PMJA - 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 S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA). 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.

	XVV	PMJA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	3.53	-1.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	5.63	-3.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.79	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	4.91	-2.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.02	24.37	-15.35

XVV vs. PMJA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XVV Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is lower than the PMJA Sharpe Ratio of 3.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XVV and PMJA, 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

XVV vs. PMJA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XVV drawdown since its inception was -27.20%, which is greater than PMJA's maximum drawdown of -2.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XVV and PMJA.

Drawdown Indicators

	XVV	PMJA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.20%	-2.98%	-24.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.59%	-1.45%	-9.14%
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	-3.41%	-0.22%	-3.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-0.33%	-5.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	0.29%	+2.17%

Volatility

XVV vs. PMJA - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF (XVV) has a higher volatility of 5.00% compared to PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January (PMJA) at 0.54%. This indicates that XVV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMJA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XVV	PMJA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	0.54%	+4.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.53%	1.57%	+8.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.29%	2.04%	+11.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.72%	2.83%	+14.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.38%	2.83%	+14.55%

XVV vs. PMJA - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XVV vs. PMJA - Dividend Comparison

XVV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, while PMJA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PMJA PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XVV iShares ESG Screened S&P 500 ETF	0.95%	0.94%	1.05%	1.25%	1.57%	0.81%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XVV and PMJA in my portfolio?

XVV and PMJA 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, XVV or PMJA?

XVV has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to PMJA (0.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XVV dropped -27.20% vs PMJA's -2.98%.

Which ETF is better, XVV or PMJA?

On 1-year performance, XVV leads with 22.18% vs 7.11% for PMJA. On fees, XVV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, PMJA has been the lower-risk option at 0.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XVV or PMJA?

Over the 1-year period, XVV has performed better with a 22.18% return vs 7.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XVV or PMJA?

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

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

XVV has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for PMJA.

What is the main difference between XVV and PMJA?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMJA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.53 vs 1.68), 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.