BUFP vs LJAN
PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF vs Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January
Which is better, BUFP or LJAN?
BUFP has been ahead.
BUFP has a lower expense ratio. BUFP led over 1Y and the full window.
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
| Metric | BUFP | LJAN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $279M | $12M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 4.91% |
| Holdings | 28 | 19 |
| YTD Return | +9.90%Best | +0.71% |
| 1Y Return | +12.90%Best | +0.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.0% | 1.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.0% | -5.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $13,136Best | $10,025 |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jun 11, 2024 | Jan 2, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 13, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.3 years).
BUFP vs LJAN 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BUFP vs LJAN Performance
PGIM Laddered S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF (BUFP) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January (LJAN) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year BUFP returned +12.90% while LJAN returned +0.12%. Year to date, BUFP is up 9.90% versus a gain of 0.71% for LJAN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUFP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.0% compared with 1.9% for LJAN. 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 -12.0% for BUFP and -5.9% for LJAN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUFP charges 0.50% per year while LJAN charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $79 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUFP currently yields 0.01% against 4.91% for LJAN.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUFP and LJAN you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUFP or LJAN?
BUFP has an expense ratio of 0.50% while LJAN charges 0.79%. BUFP is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUFP or LJAN?
Over the past year BUFP returned +12.90% vs +0.12% for LJAN, so BUFP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BUFP annualized +12.59% vs +0.11% for LJAN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUFP or LJAN?
BUFP has been the more volatile fund at 6.0% annualized versus 1.9% for LJAN. Worst drawdown: BUFP -12.0% vs LJAN -5.9%.
Should I hold both BUFP and LJAN?
BUFP and LJAN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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, BUFP or LJAN?
BUFP yields 0.01% while LJAN yields 4.91%, so LJAN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is LJAN better than BUFP?
BUFP has a lower expense ratio. BUFP 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.