Data as of .
DAPR vs PDEC: which one stands where?
As of Sep 13, 2026 DAPR can fall 9.6% before its buffer engages and PDEC 8.8%, and PDEC resets 137 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: PDEC scores higher
If the market falls into a bear market from here, how much does the buffer absorb?
A percentile among the 293 buffer ETFs with a live outcome period. It is a position in a set, not a rating, and neither end of it is a recommendation. All buffer ETFs ranked by it · How it is computed
Where each one stands today
PDEC resets first, on Nov 30, 2026, 80 days from now; DAPR runs to Apr 16, 2027, 217 days. DAPR can still gain 6.8% before its cap, PDEC 3.3%. A fall from here reaches DAPR’s buffer after 9.6% and PDEC’s after 8.8%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAPR | PDEC | DAPR | PDEC | |
| 3 months | +2.3% | +3.1% | −1.0 pts | −0.2 pts |
| 6 months | +5.2% | +9.9% | −10.8 pts | −6.1 pts |
| 1 year | +7.9% | +12.9% | −9.6 pts | −4.6 pts |
| 3 years | +34.4% | +40.5% | −43.5 pts | −37.4 pts |
| DAPR FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 30.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 12.0%, over a period ending Apr 16, 2027 | PDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - Dec Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.1%, over a period ending Nov 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 30% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Apr 20, 2026 to Apr 16, 2027 | Nov 30, 2025 to Nov 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 217 | 80 |
| Starting cap | +12.0% | +13.1% |
| Can still gain | 6.8% | 3.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 9.6% | 8.8% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +7.6% | +11.8% |
| Fund return this period | +4.2% | +8.9% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
DAPR in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 6.8% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 9.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 11.7% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 25.0% of the 25.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 217 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Apr 16, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
PDEC in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.3% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 8.8% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 10.6% 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 SPY level. 80 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Nov 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DAPR or PDEC?
- From their prices on Sep 13, 2026, DAPR can gain about 6.8% before its cap and PDEC about 3.3%, so DAPR has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DAPR or PDEC?
- DAPR ends its outcome period on Apr 16, 2027 and PDEC on Nov 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DAPR or PDEC?
- DAPR charges 0.85% a year and PDEC charges 0.79%, so PDEC 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, DAPR against PDEC, data as of Sep 13, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/dapr-vs-pdec Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.