Data as of .
CPSR vs ZMAR: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 ZMAR can fall 3.6% before its buffer engages and CPSR 3.2%, and CPSR resets 2 days sooner.
Where each one stands today
CPSR resets first, on Feb 26, 2027, 158 days from now; ZMAR runs to Feb 28, 2027, 160 days. A fall from here reaches CPSR’s buffer after 3.2% and ZMAR’s after 3.6%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPSR | ZMAR | CPSR | ZMAR | |
| 3 months | +1.4% | +1.5% | −0.9 pts | −0.8 pts |
| 6 months | +3.7% | +4.2% | −14.3 pts | −13.9 pts |
| 1 year | +5.7% | +5.9% | −10.9 pts | −10.7 pts |
| 3 years | +300.8% | not published | +226.2 pts | not published |
| CPSR Calamos S&P 500 ® Structured Alt Protection ETF - March Absorbs losses from 0.3% to 100.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 5.8%, over a period ending Feb 26, 2027 | ZMAR Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr March Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 6.7%, over a period ending Feb 28, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Calamos | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 0% to 100% | 100% |
| Outcome period | Mar 2, 2026 to Feb 26, 2027 | Feb 28, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 |
| Days left | 158 | 160 |
| Starting cap | +5.8% | +6.7% |
| Can still gain | not published | 2.9% |
| Fall before buffer | 3.2% | 3.6% |
| Protection left, index points | 99.7% of 99.7% | 100.0% of 100.0% |
| Index return this period | +11.0% | +12.8% |
| Fund return this period | +3.0% | +3.3% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.69% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $34m | $112m |
CPSR in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +5.8% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's price can fall 3.2% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 10.2% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 99.7% of the 99.7% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 158 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Feb 26, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
ZMAR in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +6.7% 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 2.9% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 3.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 11.4% 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. 160 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Feb 28, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which resets first, CPSR or ZMAR?
- CPSR ends its outcome period on Feb 26, 2027 and ZMAR on Feb 28, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, CPSR or ZMAR?
- CPSR charges 0.69% a year and ZMAR charges 0.79%, so CPSR 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, CPSR against ZMAR, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/cpsr-vs-zmar Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.