Data as of .
CPSA vs PBAU: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 PBAU can fall 2.3% before its buffer engages and CPSA 0.8%, and CPSA resets 1 days sooner.
These are two different products. CPSA is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. PBAU 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
CPSA resets first, on Jul 30, 2027, 312 days from now; PBAU runs to Jul 31, 2027, 313 days. A fall from here reaches CPSA’s buffer after 0.8% and PBAU’s after 2.3%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPSA | PBAU | CPSA | PBAU | |
| 3 months | +1.2% | +2.2% | −1.0 pts | −0.1 pts |
| 6 months | +4.4% | +8.3% | −13.6 pts | −9.8 pts |
| 1 year | +5.5% | +9.2% | −11.1 pts | −7.4 pts |
| CPSA Calamos S&P 500 ® Structured Alt Protection ETF - August Absorbs losses from 0.0% to 100.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 7.7%, over a period ending Jul 30, 2027 | PBAU PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August Absorbs the first 20% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.2%, over a period ending Jul 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Calamos | PGIM |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 0% to 100% | 20% |
| Outcome period | Aug 3, 2026 to Jul 30, 2027 | Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 312 | 313 |
| Starting cap | +7.7% | +12.2% |
| Can still gain | not published | 9.7% |
| Fall before buffer | 0.8% | 2.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 100.0% of 100.0% | 20.0% of 20.0% |
| Index return this period | +0.5% | +3.6% |
| Fund return this period | +0.8% | +1.8% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.69% | 0.50% |
| Net assets | $48m | $40m |
CPSA in plain words
The fund's price can fall 0.8% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 0.6% 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. 312 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jul 30, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
PBAU in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 9.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 2.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 3.5% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 20.0% of the 20.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 313 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jul 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which resets first, CPSA or PBAU?
- CPSA ends its outcome period on Jul 30, 2027 and PBAU on Jul 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, CPSA or PBAU?
- CPSA charges 0.69% a year and PBAU charges 0.50%, so PBAU 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, CPSA against PBAU, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/cpsa-vs-pbau Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.