PBJA vs PMSE
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - January vs PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, PBJA or PMSE?
PBJA has been ahead.
PBJA led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | PBJA | PMSE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50%Tie | 0.50%Tie |
| AUM | $67M | $7M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 14 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +7.36%Best | +4.55% |
| 1Y Return | +10.27%Best | +5.76% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.7% | 2.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -3.6% | -1.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $11,158Best | $10,677 |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Dec 29, 2023 | Sep 1, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 2, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
PBJA vs PMSE 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.
PBJA vs PMSE Performance
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - January (PBJA) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - September (PMSE) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year PBJA returned +10.27% while PMSE returned +5.76%. Year to date, PBJA is up 7.36% versus a gain of 4.55% for PMSE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBJA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.7% compared with 2.1% for PMSE. 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 -3.6% for PBJA and -1.4% for PMSE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PBJA charges 0.50% per year while PMSE charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $50 annually. On income, PBJA currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for PMSE.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PBJA and PMSE 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, PBJA or PMSE?
PBJA has an expense ratio of 0.50% while PMSE charges 0.50%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, PBJA or PMSE?
Over the past year PBJA returned +10.27% vs +5.76% for PMSE, so PBJA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), PBJA annualized +10.47% vs +6.14% for PMSE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PBJA or PMSE?
PBJA has been the more volatile fund at 4.7% annualized versus 2.1% for PMSE. Worst drawdown: PBJA -3.6% vs PMSE -1.4%.
Should I hold both PBJA and PMSE?
PBJA and PMSE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PBJA or PMSE?
PBJA yields 0.00% while PMSE yields 0.00%, so PMSE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PMSE better than PBJA?
PBJA led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.