Data as of .
DMAY vs PBJN: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DMAY can fall 8.8% before its buffer engages and PBJN 2.5%, and DMAY resets 10 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: PBJN 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
DMAY resets first, on May 21, 2027, 242 days from now; PBJN runs to May 31, 2027, 252 days. DMAY can still gain 9.2% before its cap, PBJN 9.3%. A fall from here reaches DMAY’s buffer after 8.8% and PBJN’s after 2.5%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMAY | PBJN | DMAY | PBJN | |
| 3 months | +1.6% | +1.6% | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts |
| 6 months | +6.8% | +5.2% | −11.3 pts | −12.8 pts |
| 1 year | +8.4% | +6.9% | −8.2 pts | −9.7 pts |
| 3 years | +38.9% | not published | −39.5 pts | not published |
| DMAY FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - May Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 30.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 13.6%, over a period ending May 21, 2027 | PBJN PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - June Absorbs the first 20% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.1%, over a period ending May 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | PGIM |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 30% | 20% |
| Outcome period | May 18, 2026 to May 21, 2027 | Jun 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 242 | 252 |
| Starting cap | +13.6% | +12.1% |
| Can still gain | 9.2% | 9.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 8.8% | 2.5% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 20.0% of 20.0% |
| Index return this period | +4.7% | +2.3% |
| Fund return this period | +3.2% | +2.1% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.50% |
| Net assets | $380m | $58m |
DMAY in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 9.2% 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 9.3% 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. 242 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On May 21, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
PBJN in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 9.3% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 2.5% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 2.2% 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. 252 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On May 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DMAY or PBJN?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DMAY can gain about 9.2% before its cap and PBJN about 9.3%, so PBJN has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DMAY or PBJN?
- DMAY ends its outcome period on May 21, 2027 and PBJN on May 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DMAY or PBJN?
- DMAY charges 0.85% a year and PBJN charges 0.50%, so PBJN 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, DMAY against PBJN, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/dmay-vs-pbjn Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.