CPNM vs NMAR: which one stands where?

As of Oct 1, 2026 NMAR can fall 9.9% before its buffer engages and CPNM 3.6%, and CPNM resets 2 days sooner. Calamos Nasdaq-100 ® Structured Alt Protection ETF - March and Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - Mar.

CPNMAt its cap
At its capCPNM: reference +21.6% since period start, fund +3.4%; buffer −0 to floor; cap +6.2%; At its cap.full floor beneathfull floor−0.4% buffer start0% period start+6.2% capTODAY · QQQ +21.6%At its capCPNM: reference +21.6% since period start, fund +3.4%; buffer −0 to floor; cap +6.2%; At its cap.full floor beneathfull floor−0.4% buffer start0% start+6.2% capTODAY · QQQ +21.6%

CPNM: reference +21.6% since period start, fund +3.4%; buffer −0 to floor; cap +6.2%; At its cap.

NMARAt its cap
At its capNMAR: reference +21.8% since period start, fund +10.4%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +15.9%; At its cap.15 pts+15.9%−15.0% floor0% period start+15.9% capTODAY · QQQ +21.8%At its capNMAR: reference +21.8% since period start, fund +10.4%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +15.9%; At its cap.−15.0% floor0% start+15.9% capTODAY · QQQ +21.8%

NMAR: reference +21.8% since period start, fund +10.4%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +15.9%; At its cap.

These are two different products. CPNM is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. NMAR is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.

Both are already at their cap, so neither gains from more rise in the index before the period ends.

Where each one stands today

CPNM resets first, on Feb 27, 2027, 149 days from now; NMAR runs to Feb 28, 2027, 151 days. A fall from here reaches CPNM’s buffer after 3.6% and NMAR’s after 9.9%. Both track QQQ, 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

Total returnGap to the reference
WindowCPNMNMARCPNMNMAR
3 months+1.5%+3.2%−0.6 pts+1.1 pts
6 months+3.8%+12.5%−23.1 pts−14.4 pts
1 year+6.0%+15.3%−17.8 pts−8.5 pts

CPNM and NMAR over each window. Every figure is an ETFIQ calculation with distributions reinvested. Source: ETFIQ. Open the live comparison on ETFIQ →

On the same fields

CPNM
Calamos Nasdaq-100 ® Structured Alt Protection ETF - March · Absorbs losses from 0.4% to 100.0% on QQQ and caps the gain at 6.2%, over a period ending Feb 27, 2027
NMAR
Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - Mar · Absorbs the first 15% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 15.9%, over a period ending Feb 28, 2027
Issuer Calamos Innovator
Reference index QQQ QQQ
Buffer 0% to 100% 15%
Outcome period Mar 2, 2026 to Feb 27, 2027 Feb 28, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
Days left 149 151
Starting cap +6.2% +15.9%
Can still gain not published 4.5%
Fall before buffer 3.6% 9.9%
Protection left, index points 99.6% of 99.6% 15.0% of 15.0%
Index return this period +21.6% +21.8%
Fund return this period +3.4% +10.4%
State today At cap At cap
Expense ratio 0.69% 0.79%
Net assets $15m $90m

CPNM and NMAR on the same fields, as of Oct 1, 2026. Source: ETFIQ.

CPNM in plain words

QQQ had already risen past this fund's cap of +6.2% for the period on Oct 1, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's price can fall 3.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 18.1% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 99.6% of the 99.6% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level. 149 days remained on Oct 1, 2026. On Feb 27, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.

NMAR in plain words

QQQ had already risen past this fund's cap of +15.9% for the period on Oct 1, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 4.5% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 9.9% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 17.9% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level. 151 days remained on Oct 1, 2026. On Feb 28, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.

Questions people ask

Which resets first, CPNM or NMAR?
CPNM ends its outcome period on Feb 27, 2027 and NMAR on Feb 28, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
Which is cheaper, CPNM or NMAR?
CPNM charges 0.69% a year and NMAR charges 0.79%, so CPNM 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. A comparison is not a recommendation.

Cite this page

ETFIQ, CPNM against NMAR, data as of Oct 1, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/cpnm-vs-nmar

Open data

Free to use with attribution. Every figure is calculated from a named public source; the method is at etfiq.com/methodology.