PQJA vs VTI
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PQJA 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 0.97.
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 | PQJA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 8 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.16% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.20% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.0%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.7%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,904 | $13,168Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 27, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.7 years).
PQJA 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
PQJA vs VTI Performance
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PQJA returned +16.20% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, PQJA is up 10.16% versus a gain of 11.65% 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 10.0% for PQJA. 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 -14.7% for PQJA 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PQJA 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, PQJA currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PQJA 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, PQJA or VTI?
PQJA 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, PQJA or VTI?
Over the past year PQJA returned +16.20% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PQJA annualized +16.18% vs +17.57% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PQJA or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 10.0% for PQJA. Worst drawdown: PQJA -14.7% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both PQJA and VTI?
PQJA and VTI 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, PQJA or VTI?
PQJA yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PQJA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.