Data as of .
FOCT vs PFEB: which one stands where?
As of Sep 13, 2026 FOCT can fall 11.7% before its buffer engages and PFEB 6.8%, and FOCT resets 107 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: PFEB 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
FOCT resets first, on Oct 16, 2026, 35 days from now; PFEB runs to Jan 31, 2027, 142 days. FOCT can still gain 1.8% before its cap, PFEB 4.8%. A fall from here reaches FOCT’s buffer after 11.7% and PFEB’s after 6.8%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOCT | PFEB | FOCT | PFEB | |
| 3 months | +3.6% | +2.8% | +0.3 pts | −0.5 pts |
| 6 months | +11.8% | +9.2% | −4.2 pts | −6.9 pts |
| 1 year | +14.5% | +11.7% | −3.0 pts | −5.8 pts |
| 3 years | +41.7% | +41.5% | −36.2 pts | −36.4 pts |
| FOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 15.1%, over a period ending Oct 16, 2026 | PFEB Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - Feb Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.4%, over a period ending Jan 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 10% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Oct 20, 2025 to Oct 16, 2026 | Jan 31, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 35 | 142 |
| Starting cap | +15.1% | +12.4% |
| Can still gain | 1.8% | 4.8% |
| Fall before buffer | 11.7% | 6.8% |
| Protection left, index points | 10.0% of 10.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +15.0% | +10.4% |
| Fund return this period | +12.3% | +6.7% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
FOCT in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 1.8% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 11.7% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 13.1% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 10.0% of the 10.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 35 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Oct 16, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
PFEB in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 4.8% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 6.8% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 9.5% 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. 142 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Jan 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, FOCT or PFEB?
- From their prices on Sep 13, 2026, FOCT can gain about 1.8% before its cap and PFEB about 4.8%, so PFEB has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, FOCT or PFEB?
- FOCT ends its outcome period on Oct 16, 2026 and PFEB on Jan 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, FOCT or PFEB?
- FOCT charges 0.85% a year and PFEB charges 0.79%, so PFEB 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, FOCT against PFEB, data as of Sep 13, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/foct-vs-pfeb Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.