Data as of .
APRP vs DDFA: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 APRP can fall 10.0% before its buffer engages and DDFA 8.3%.
These are two different products. DDFA is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. APRP 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
APRP resets first, on Mar 31, 2027, 191 days from now; DDFA runs to Mar 31, 2027, 191 days. APRP can still gain 5.0% before its cap, DDFA 4.1%. A fall from here reaches APRP’s buffer after 10.0% and DDFA’s after 8.3%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APRP | DDFA | APRP | DDFA | |
| 3 months | +2.4% | +2.1% | +0.2 pts | −0.2 pts |
| 6 months | +11.4% | not published | −6.6 pts | not published |
| 1 year | +14.9% | not published | −1.7 pts | not published |
| APRP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - April Absorbs the first 12% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 16.6%, over a period ending Mar 31, 2027 | DDFA Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - Apr Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.4%, over a period ending Mar 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | PGIM | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 12% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 | Mar 31, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 191 | 191 |
| Starting cap | +16.6% | +13.4% |
| Can still gain | 5.0% | 4.1% |
| Fall before buffer | 10.0% | 8.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 12.0% of 12.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +19.0% | +19.0% |
| Fund return this period | +10.5% | +8.5% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.50% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $31m | $108m |
APRP in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +16.6% 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 5.0% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 10.0% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 16.0% 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. 191 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Mar 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
DDFA 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 4.1% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 8.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, APRP or DDFA?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, APRP can gain about 5.0% before its cap and DDFA about 4.1%, so APRP has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, APRP or DDFA?
- APRP ends its outcome period on Mar 31, 2027 and DDFA on Mar 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, APRP or DDFA?
- APRP charges 0.50% a year and DDFA charges 0.79%, so APRP 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, APRP against DDFA, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/aprp-vs-ddfa Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.