PMFB vs VTI
PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PMFB or VTI?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | PMFB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 7 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +3.99% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.13% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.5%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.9%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $11,045 | $12,856Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 3, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.6 years).
PMFB vs VTI 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
PMFB vs VTI Performance
PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - February (PMFB) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PMFB returned +6.13% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, PMFB is up 3.99% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 2.5% for PMFB. 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 -2.9% for PMFB and -19.3% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PMFB charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PMFB currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PMFB and VTI 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, PMFB or VTI?
PMFB has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PMFB or VTI?
Over the past year PMFB returned +6.13% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PMFB annualized +6.41% vs +17.00% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PMFB or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 2.5% for PMFB. Worst drawdown: PMFB -2.9% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both PMFB and VTI?
PMFB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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, PMFB or VTI?
PMFB yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PMFB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.