PMAR vs PMSE
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - March vs PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, PMAR or PMSE?
Nearly the same fund. PMSE costs less.
PMSE has a lower expense ratio. PMAR led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | PMAR | PMSE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $751M | $7M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 18 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +9.25%Best | +4.55% |
| 1Y Return | +12.02%Best | +5.76% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.17% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.63% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.5% | 2.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -4.1% | -1.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $11,347Best | $10,677 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Mar 2, 2020 | Sep 1, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 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).
PMAR 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.
PMAR vs PMSE Performance
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - March (PMAR) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - September (PMSE) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year PMAR returned +12.02% while PMSE returned +5.76%. Year to date, PMAR is up 9.25% versus a gain of 4.55% for PMSE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PMAR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.5% 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 -4.1% for PMAR 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PMAR charges 0.79% per year while PMSE 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, PMAR currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for PMSE.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PMAR 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, PMAR or PMSE?
PMAR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while PMSE charges 0.50%. PMSE is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PMAR or PMSE?
Over the past year PMAR returned +12.02% vs +5.76% for PMSE, so PMAR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), PMAR annualized +12.17% vs +6.14% for PMSE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PMAR or PMSE?
PMAR has been the more volatile fund at 5.5% annualized versus 2.1% for PMSE. Worst drawdown: PMAR -4.1% vs PMSE -1.4%.
Should I hold both PMAR and PMSE?
PMAR and PMSE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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, PMAR or PMSE?
PMAR yields 0.00% while PMSE yields 0.00%, so PMSE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PMSE better than PMAR?
PMSE has a lower expense ratio. PMAR led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.