What this ETF is trying to do

The PGIM NASDAQ-100 BUFFER 12 ETF - JANUARY is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that trades on the NASDAQ exchange.

What the numbers show

As of October 5, 2026, the current price for one share of this ETF is $32.97. Based on estimated data, the price was roughly $28.12 about one year ago.

The numbers show that the ETF has had positive growth recently:

• One-Year Returns: The one-year price return (the change in the share price) was approximately 17.24%. The one-year total return (which includes distributions) was approximately 17.25%.

• Year-to-Date (YTD) Returns: So far this year, both the price return and the total return are approximately 12.99%.

Note that three-year return data was not supplied.

Income and distribution explanation

Some investors look for regular cash payments from their investments, which are called distributions. This ETF has a very low distribution yield of 0.0046%. In the last 12 months, there was only one distribution recorded. The frequency of these payments is described as "irregular" or "less frequent."

It is important to understand that the distribution yield is not the same as the total return. The distribution yield only shows the cash paid out relative to the price, while the total return shows the overall gain including those payments.

NAV erosion explanation

"NAV erosion" refers to a situation where the value of the underlying assets in an ETF decreases over time. For this ETF, the erosion-risk score is 100, and the label states "No price erosion detected." The erosion severity is rated as "good," and there is no severe erosion-risk flag.

Pros

• The ETF has shown positive price returns and total returns over the last year and so far this year.

• According to the supplied data, there are no signs of price erosion.

Cons

• The distribution yield is very low, meaning it provides very little cash income.

• The distributions are irregular and do not happen on a steady schedule.

• No top holdings were provided in the current data.

Beginner takeaway

When you look at an ETF, it is helpful to check both the price return and the total return. The price return tells you how much the share price itself moved. The total return is a more complete picture because it includes any cash distributions you might have received. For this ETF, while the returns have been positive, the amount of cash income provided through distributions is very small.