SEPP vs VOO
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SEPP or VOO?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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 | SEPP | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $27M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 8 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +8.05% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.02% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.49% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.4%Best | 11.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.8%Best | -18.7% |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $13,109 | $14,716Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2024 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 15, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.3 years).
SEPP vs VOO 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 2.3 years both funds cover.
SEPP vs VOO Performance
PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - September (SEPP) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SEPP returned +11.02% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, SEPP is up 8.05% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.8% compared with 6.4% for SEPP. 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 -11.8% for SEPP and -18.7% for VOO. 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
SEPP charges 0.50% per year while VOO 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, SEPP currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SEPP and VOO 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, SEPP or VOO?
SEPP has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SEPP or VOO?
Over the past year SEPP returned +11.02% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SEPP annualized +12.49% vs +18.29% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SEPP or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 6.4% for SEPP. Worst drawdown: SEPP -11.8% vs VOO -18.7%.
Should I hold both SEPP and VOO?
SEPP and VOO 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, SEPP or VOO?
SEPP yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SEPP?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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.