ZALT vs. PBFB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZALT (Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and PBFB (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZALT returned 10.35% vs 13.63% for PBFB. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZALT charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBFB.

Performance

ZALT vs. PBFB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZALT achieves a 3.61% return, which is significantly lower than PBFB's 4.68% return.

ZALT

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 3.61%
• 6M: 3.99%
• 1Y: 10.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBFB

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 13.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZALT vs. PBFB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZALT Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly	3.61%	9.44%	10.63%
PBFB PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February	4.68%	9.86%	10.00%

Correlation

The correlation between ZALT and PBFB is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2024	0.79

The correlation between ZALT and PBFB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZALT vs. PBFB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZALT

ZALT Risk / Return Rank: 85
ZALT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
ZALT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ZALT Omega Ratio Rank: 86
ZALT Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ZALT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

PBFB

PBFB Risk / Return Rank: 86
PBFB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PBFB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PBFB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PBFB Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PBFB Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

ZALT vs. PBFB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) and PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB). 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.

	ZALT	PBFB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.87	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	4.27	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.61	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.08	3.61	+2.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.69	19.17	+2.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZALT vs. PBFB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZALT Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the PBFB Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZALT and PBFB, 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

	ZALT	PBFB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.87	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.73	1.67	+0.06

Drawdowns

ZALT vs. PBFB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZALT drawdown since its inception was -8.19%, smaller than the maximum PBFB drawdown of -8.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZALT and PBFB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZALT	PBFB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-8.65%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-3.79%	+2.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.15%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.48%	-0.60%	+0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	0.71%	-0.23%

Volatility

ZALT vs. PBFB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) is 0.39%, while PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETF - February (PBFB) has a volatility of 0.75%. This indicates that ZALT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBFB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZALT	PBFB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	0.75%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.97%	3.71%	-0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.15%	4.77%	-0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.38%	6.39%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.38%	6.39%	-0.01%

ZALT vs. PBFB - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZALT has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than PBFB's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZALT vs. PBFB - Dividend Comparison

Neither ZALT nor PBFB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZALT and PBFB in my portfolio?

ZALT and PBFB have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZALT or PBFB?

PBFB has higher volatility (0.75%) compared to ZALT (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZALT dropped -8.19% vs PBFB's -8.65%.

Which ETF is better, ZALT or PBFB?

On 1-year performance, PBFB leads with 13.63% vs 10.35% for ZALT. On fees, PBFB is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ZALT has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZALT or PBFB?

Over the 1-year period, PBFB has performed better with a 13.63% return vs 10.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZALT or PBFB?

PBFB is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for ZALT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZALT or PBFB?

ZALT and PBFB have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ZALT and PBFB?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for ZALT and 0.50% for PBFB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBFB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.50), 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.