PBAU vs ZJUN
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August vs Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr June
Which is better, PBAU or ZJUN?
PBAU has been ahead.
PBAU has a lower expense ratio. PBAU 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 | PBAU | ZJUN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $40M | $153M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 8 | 21 |
| YTD Return | +7.58%Best | +3.53% |
| 1Y Return | +9.92%Best | +4.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.0% | 1.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -3.3% | -1.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $11,797Best | $10,787 |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 10, 2024 | Jun 2, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 2, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.4 years).
PBAU vs ZJUN 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
PBAU vs ZJUN Performance
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August (PBAU) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr June (ZJUN) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year PBAU returned +9.92% while ZJUN returned +4.82%. Year to date, PBAU is up 7.58% versus a gain of 3.53% for ZJUN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.0% compared with 1.4% for ZJUN. 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 -3.3% for PBAU and -1.1% for ZJUN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PBAU charges 0.50% per year while ZJUN 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, PBAU currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for ZJUN.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PBAU and ZJUN 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, PBAU or ZJUN?
PBAU has an expense ratio of 0.50% while ZJUN charges 0.79%. PBAU is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PBAU or ZJUN?
Over the past year PBAU returned +9.92% vs +4.82% for ZJUN, so PBAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), PBAU annualized +12.53% vs +5.56% for ZJUN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PBAU or ZJUN?
PBAU has been the more volatile fund at 4.0% annualized versus 1.4% for ZJUN. Worst drawdown: PBAU -3.3% vs ZJUN -1.1%.
Should I hold both PBAU and ZJUN?
PBAU and ZJUN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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, PBAU or ZJUN?
PBAU yields 0.00% while ZJUN yields 0.00%, so ZJUN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZJUN better than PBAU?
PBAU has a lower expense ratio. PBAU 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.