PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - July (PQJL) Fund Overview
Educational signal · not a buy or sell recommendation · How to read this
Beta 0.68: the stock has moved about 32% less than the S&P 500.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Machine-generated analysis by Stock Expert AI — model gemini-2.0-flash, generated Mar 17, 2026. Editorial oversight is systemic, not page-by-page. Editorially accountable: Sedat ANAK, Founder and Editor-in-Chief. Data sources: Financial Modeling Prep, Yahoo Finance, SEC EDGAR
Quick AnswerPGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - July (PQJL) trades at $32.12. Sector: Financials.
Price as of · Last analyzed: Mar 17, 2026Analyst Coverage for PQJL: PQJL does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage.
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - July (PQJL) Financial Services Profile
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - July (PQJL) employs a unique strategy using FLEX options to provide a 12% buffer against potential losses in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) while foregoing unlimited upside. This fund caters to risk-averse investors seeking downside protection within the technology-heavy Nasdaq-100.
What Is the Investment Thesis for PQJL?
PQJL offers a compelling, though niche, investment proposition for investors seeking to mitigate downside risk in their Nasdaq-100 exposure. The fund's defined 12% buffer against losses in QQQ provides a degree of certainty in uncertain market conditions. However, investors must carefully consider the trade-off between downside protection and foregone upside potential. The fund's performance is directly tied to the performance of QQQ and the effectiveness of its options strategy. A key factor to monitor is the annual reset of the cap, which will determine the fund's potential upside participation. The fund's expense ratio should also be considered, as it reduces overall returns. With a beta of 0.68, PQJL demonstrates lower volatility than the broader market. Investors should evaluate PQJL's performance relative to other buffered ETFs and consider their own risk tolerance and investment goals.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
PQJL Key Highlights
PQJL aims to buffer investors from the first 12% of losses in QQQ over a one-year period.
- The fund foregoes some upside potential in exchange for downside protection.
- The fund operates on a one-year cycle, beginning each July, with an annual reset of the cap.
- PQJL's performance is directly tied to the performance of QQQ and the effectiveness of its options strategy.
- The fund has a beta of 0.68, indicating lower volatility than the broader market.
Who Are PQJL's Competitors?
PQJL is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | MoonshotScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMOT First Trust S&P 500 Economic Moat ETF | $26.01 | +0.69% | $5.01M | — |
| KNOW Fundamentals First ETF | $12.73 | 0.00% | $5.13M | — |
| BLK BlackRock, Inc. | $1066.45 | +0.64% | $165B | 51 5-pillar |
| BX Blackstone Inc. | $111.64 | -0.09% | $136B | 68 5-pillar |
| APOS Apollo Global Management, Inc. | $25.59 | 0.00% | $74.8B | 56 5-pillar |
| BAM Brookfield Asset Management | $44.73 | -0.27% | $71.4B | 57 5-pillar |
| AMP Ameriprise Financial, Inc. | $494.94 | +0.82% | $44.4B | 77 5-pillar |
| ARES Ares Management Corporation | $117.13 | -0.36% | $38.5B | 57 5-pillar |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are PQJL's Key Strengths?
Defined 12% buffer against losses in QQQ.
- Active management strategy.
- Use of FLEX options.
- PGIM brand and distribution network.
What Are PQJL's Weaknesses?
Foregone upside potential.
- Expense ratio reduces overall returns.
- Performance is directly tied to the performance of QQQ.
- Not suitable for investors seeking unlimited upside potential.
What Are the Key Risks for PQJL?
Foregone upside potential if QQQ experiences significant gains.
- Expense ratio reduces overall returns.
- Performance is directly tied to the performance of QQQ.
- Changes in market conditions could impact the effectiveness of the options strategy.
- Investors who buy at any time other than the annual reset day may have a different protection and buffer zone.
What Threats Does PQJL Face?
- Competition from other buffered ETFs.
- Changes in market conditions.
- Changes in interest rates.
- Regulatory changes.
What Are PQJL's Competitive Advantages?
- Defined buffer against losses: PQJL offers a defined 12% buffer against losses in QQQ, providing investors with a degree of certainty in uncertain market conditions.
- Active management strategy: The fund's active management strategy allows it to adapt to changing market conditions and optimize its options strategy.
- FLEX options: The use of FLEX options provides the fund with flexibility in structuring its options strategy.
- PGIM brand and distribution network: The PGIM brand and distribution network provide the fund with a competitive advantage in the crowded ETF market.
What Does PQJL Do?
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - July (PQJL) is an actively managed exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with a degree of downside protection against market volatility, specifically related to the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which tracks the Nasdaq-100 index. The fund operates on a one-year cycle, beginning each July, and utilizes Financial Linked Exchangeable Stock (FLEX) options to achieve its investment objective. PQJL aims to buffer investors from the first 12% of losses in QQQ over the outcome period. In exchange for this downside protection, the fund foregoes some potential upside gains, as participation is capped at a certain level, which is reset annually. Additionally, the fund does not capture the dividend component of QQQ, as the options are based on price rather than total return. If QQQ declines by more than 12%, PQJL investors will experience losses on a one-to-one basis for any decline beyond the buffer. The fund is designed to be held for the entire outcome period to realize its intended results. Investors entering the fund at other times may experience different levels of protection and upside participation. The issuer publishes interim cap levels on its website. The fund's targeted cap and buffer do not include its expense ratio.
What Products and Services Does PQJL Offer?
- Provide a 12% buffer against losses in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) over a one-year period.
- Utilize FLEX options to achieve its investment objective.
- Forego some potential upside gains in exchange for downside protection.
- Operate on a one-year cycle, beginning each July.
- Reset the cap on upside participation annually.
- Publish interim cap levels on its website.
- Actively manage the fund's portfolio of FLEX options.
How Does PQJL Make Money?
- Generate revenue through management fees charged on assets under management (AUM).
- Employ an active management strategy using FLEX options.
- Provide a defined buffer against losses in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ).
- Forego some upside potential in exchange for downside protection.
What Industry Does PQJL Operate In?
PQJL operates within the asset management industry, specifically in the growing segment of buffered ETFs. These ETFs are designed to provide investors with a degree of downside protection against market volatility, while still allowing them to participate in potential upside gains. The competitive landscape includes other buffered ETFs with varying buffer levels, underlying indexes, and investment strategies. The demand for buffered ETFs is driven by investors seeking to manage risk in uncertain market conditions. The growth of this market segment is expected to continue as investors increasingly prioritize downside protection.
Who Are PQJL's Key Customers?
- Risk-averse investors seeking to mitigate downside risk in their Nasdaq-100 exposure.
- Financial advisors looking for investment solutions for their clients.
- Institutional investors seeking to manage risk in their portfolios.
- Investors who believe that the Nasdaq-100 will experience volatility.
Research confidence
Thin evidence — scoring coverage unknown. Treat this as a starting point, not a conclusion.
- ● Scoring coverage unknown
- ● Price is current
- ● No filing on record
- ● No analyst coverage
- ● This is an etf, not an operating company
PQJL Financials
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Defined 12% buffer against losses in QQQ.
- Active management strategy.
- Use of FLEX options.
- PGIM brand and distribution network.
Bear Case
- Foregone upside potential.
- Expense ratio reduces overall returns.
- Performance is directly tied to the performance of QQQ.
- Not suitable for investors seeking unlimited upside potential.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
PQJL Latest News
No recent news available for PQJL.
PQJL Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations collected by Financial Modeling Prep for PQJL.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for PQJL.
PQJL MoonshotScore
MoonshotScore is Stock Expert AI's proprietary 0-100 research rating, not a buy or sell recommendation. No MoonshotScore is published for PQJL; grades run from A+ (80-100) to F (below 30).
What Investors Ask About PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - July (PQJL) — Financials
What are the main risks for PQJL?
The main risks for PQJL include the risk of foregone upside potential, as the fund caps participation in potential gains in QQQ. There is also the risk that the fund's options strategy may not be effective in mitigating losses, particularly if QQQ declines by more than 12%.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
MoonshotScore is not published for this security.
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- The information provided is based on available data and analysis, but there is no guarantee of future performance.
- Investors should carefully consider their own risk tolerance and investment goals before investing in PQJL.