ACII vs PBFR

ACII vs PBFR

Which is better, ACII or PBFR?

Each has led over a different period.

PBFR has a lower expense ratio. ACII led over 1Y, PBFR over the full window.

Lower Fees: PBFRHigher Returns: split

MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricACIIPBFR
Expense Ratio0.79%0.50%Best
AUM$147M$233M
Dividend Yield8.44%0.01%
Holdings1828
YTD Return+7.34%+7.53%Best
1Y Return+10.33%Best+10.04%
Volatility (annualized)3.7%Best4.0%
Max Drawdown-2.3%Best-2.8%
$10,000 over 1.1 years$11,005$11,081Best
Fund FamilyInnovator ETFs TrustPGIM Investments
CategoryAlternativeAlternative
StyleOption WritingOption Writing
InceptionSep 24, 2025Jun 11, 2024

Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 25, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).

ACII vs PBFR growth

Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.1 years both funds cover.

Compare ACII against instead:ACII vs SPYACII vs QQQACII vs VOOACII vs VTIPBFR against:PBFR vs VXUS

ACII vs PBFR Performance

Innovator Index Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACII) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF (PBFR) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year ACII returned +10.33% while PBFR returned +10.04%. Year to date, ACII is up 7.34% versus a gain of 7.53% for PBFR.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

PBFR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.0% compared with 3.7% for ACII. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -2.3% for ACII and -2.8% for PBFR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ACII charges 0.79% per year while PBFR charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $50 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACII currently yields 8.44% against 0.01% for PBFR.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of ACII and PBFR you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

ACIIPBFR

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ACII or PBFR?

ACII has an expense ratio of 0.79% while PBFR charges 0.50%. PBFR is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, ACII or PBFR?

Over the past year ACII returned +10.33% vs +10.04% for PBFR, so ACII leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ACII annualized +9.10% vs +9.78% for PBFR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, ACII or PBFR?

PBFR has been the more volatile fund at 4.0% annualized versus 3.7% for ACII. Worst drawdown: ACII -2.3% vs PBFR -2.8%.

Should I hold both ACII and PBFR?

ACII and PBFR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, ACII or PBFR?

ACII yields 8.44% while PBFR yields 0.01%, so ACII currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is PBFR better than ACII?

PBFR has a lower expense ratio. ACII led over 1Y, PBFR over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.