PMAU vs SEPP
PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August vs PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September
Which is better, PMAU or SEPP?
SEPP has been ahead.
SEPP led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | PMAU | SEPP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50%Tie | 0.50%Tie |
| AUM | $6M | $91M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 14 |
| YTD Return | +4.99% | +8.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.78% | +9.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.3%Best | 6.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.8%Best | -4.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $10,825 | $11,671Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jul 31, 2025 | May 15, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 1, 2025 to Nov 11, 2026 (1.3 years).
PMAU vs SEPP 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
PMAU vs SEPP Performance
PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August (PMAU) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September (SEPP) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year PMAU returned +5.78% while SEPP returned +9.52%. Year to date, PMAU is up 4.99% versus a gain of 8.21% for SEPP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SEPP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.0% compared with 2.3% for PMAU. 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 -1.8% for PMAU and -4.7% for SEPP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PMAU charges 0.50% per year while SEPP charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $50 annually. On income, PMAU currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for SEPP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PMAU and SEPP 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, PMAU or SEPP?
PMAU has an expense ratio of 0.50% while SEPP charges 0.50%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, PMAU or SEPP?
Over the past year PMAU returned +5.78% vs +9.52% for SEPP, so SEPP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), PMAU annualized +6.29% vs +12.62% for SEPP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PMAU or SEPP?
SEPP has been the more volatile fund at 6.0% annualized versus 2.3% for PMAU. Worst drawdown: PMAU -1.8% vs SEPP -4.7%.
Should I hold both PMAU and SEPP?
PMAU and SEPP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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, PMAU or SEPP?
PMAU yields 0.00% while SEPP yields 0.00%, so SEPP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SEPP better than PMAU?
SEPP led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.