BAFE vs PMAP

BAFE vs PMAP

Which is better, BAFE or PMAP?

BAFE has been ahead.

PMAP has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: PMAPHigher Returns: BAFE

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

MetricBAFEPMAP
Expense Ratio0.54%0.50%Best
AUM$1.8B$5M
Dividend Yield0.27%0.00%
Holdings9014
YTD Return+9.97%Best+4.90%
1Y Return+12.65%Best+6.34%
Volatility (annualized)12.3%1.1%Best
Max Drawdown-12.7%-1.8%Best
$10,000 over 1.5 years$12,406Best$11,032
Fund FamilyBrown AdvisoryPGIM Investments
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionNov 18, 2024Mar 31, 2025

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

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.5 years).

BAFE vs PMAP 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 1.5 years both funds cover.

Compare BAFE against instead:BAFE vs SPYBAFE vs QQQBAFE vs VOOBAFE vs VTIPMAP against:PMAP vs VXUS

BAFE vs PMAP Performance

Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is an ETF from Brown Advisory and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April (PMAP) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year BAFE returned +12.65% while PMAP returned +6.34%. Year to date, BAFE is up 9.97% versus a gain of 4.90% for PMAP.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

BAFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 1.1% for PMAP. 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 -12.7% for BAFE and -1.8% for PMAP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

BAFE charges 0.54% per year while PMAP charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $50 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAFE currently yields 0.27% against 0.00% for PMAP.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

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

BAFEPMAP

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, BAFE or PMAP?

BAFE has an expense ratio of 0.54% while PMAP charges 0.50%. PMAP is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, BAFE or PMAP?

Over the past year BAFE returned +12.65% vs +6.34% for PMAP, so BAFE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BAFE annualized +15.46% vs +6.77% for PMAP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, BAFE or PMAP?

BAFE has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 1.1% for PMAP. Worst drawdown: BAFE -12.7% vs PMAP -1.8%.

Should I hold both BAFE and PMAP?

BAFE and PMAP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, BAFE or PMAP?

BAFE yields 0.27% while PMAP yields 0.00%, so BAFE currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is PMAP better than BAFE?

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