Data as of .
AOCT vs OCTP: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 AOCT can fall 11.7% before its buffer engages and OCTP 11.6%.
These are two different products. AOCT is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. OCTP is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Where each one stands today
AOCT resets first, on Sep 30, 2026, 9 days from now; OCTP runs to Sep 30, 2026, 9 days. AOCT can still gain 0.0% before its cap, OCTP 0.3%. A fall from here reaches AOCT’s buffer after 11.7% and OCTP’s after 11.6%. Both track SPY, so what separates them is where each is in its own period.
Every figure is ETFIQ’s own, from the issuer’s published outcome-period terms. A buffer ETF holds FLEX options on its reference index rather than shares, so there is no holdings overlap between two of them to report.
Performance, window by window
| Window | Total return | Gap to the reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOCT | OCTP | AOCT | OCTP | |
| 3 months | +1.2% | +3.3% | −1.0 pts | +1.0 pts |
| 6 months | +4.7% | +12.8% | −13.3 pts | −5.3 pts |
| 1 year | +5.5% | +12.7% | −11.1 pts | −3.9 pts |
| AOCT Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - Oct 2026 Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.0%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | OCTP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - October Absorbs the first 12% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.4%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | PGIM |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 100% | 12% |
| Outcome period | Sep 30, 2024 to Sep 30, 2026 | Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 9 | 9 |
| Starting cap | +13.0% | +13.4% |
| Can still gain | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Protection left, index points | 100.0% of 100.0% | 12.0% of 12.0% |
| Index return this period | +34.9% | +16.2% |
| Fund return this period | +11.3% | +12.6% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.50% |
| Net assets | $48m | $31m |
AOCT in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +13.0% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 0.0% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 11.7% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 25.9% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 100.0% of the 100.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 9 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
OCTP in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +13.4% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 0.3% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 11.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 13.9% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 12.0% of the 12.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, AOCT or OCTP?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, AOCT can gain about 0.0% before its cap and OCTP about 0.3%, so OCTP has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, AOCT or OCTP?
- AOCT ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and OCTP on Sep 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, AOCT or OCTP?
- AOCT charges 0.79% a year and OCTP charges 0.50%, so OCTP is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Where these figures came from
ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement.
Cite this page. ETFIQ, AOCT against OCTP, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/aoct-vs-octp Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.