Data as of .
DECP vs FHDG: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DECP can fall 10.2% before its buffer engages and FHDG 1.1%, and FHDG resets 10 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: DECP 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
FHDG resets first, on Nov 20, 2026, 60 days from now; DECP runs to Nov 30, 2026, 70 days. DECP can still gain 3.1% before its cap, FHDG 2.7%. A fall from here reaches DECP’s buffer after 10.2% and FHDG’s after 1.1%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DECP | FHDG | DECP | FHDG | |
| 3 months | +2.6% | +2.4% | +0.4 pts | +0.2 pts |
| 6 months | +12.5% | +10.3% | −5.5 pts | −7.7 pts |
| 1 year | +14.2% | +13.0% | −2.3 pts | −3.6 pts |
| DECP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 12 ETF - December Absorbs the first 12% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 14.8%, over a period ending Nov 30, 2026 | FHDG FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly Dynamic Buffer ETF Absorbs the first 8% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 3.9%, over a period ending Nov 20, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | PGIM | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 12% | 8% |
| Outcome period | Dec 1, 2025 to Nov 30, 2026 | Aug 24, 2026 to Nov 20, 2026 |
| Days left | 70 | 60 |
| Starting cap | +14.8% | +3.9% |
| Can still gain | 3.1% | 2.7% |
| Fall before buffer | 10.2% | 1.1% |
| Protection left, index points | 12.0% of 12.0% | 7.5% of 7.5% |
| Index return this period | +13.2% | +1.1% |
| Fund return this period | +10.8% | +0.9% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.50% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $32m | $76m |
DECP in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.1% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 10.2% 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: 12.0% of the 12.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 70 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Nov 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
FHDG in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 2.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.1% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 1.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 7.5% of the 7.5% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 60 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Nov 20, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DECP or FHDG?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DECP can gain about 3.1% before its cap and FHDG about 2.7%, so DECP has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DECP or FHDG?
- DECP ends its outcome period on Nov 30, 2026 and FHDG on Nov 20, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DECP or FHDG?
- DECP charges 0.50% a year and FHDG charges 0.85%, so DECP 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, DECP against FHDG, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/decp-vs-fhdg Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.