Data as of .
GJAN vs PMAR: which one stands where?
As of Sep 13, 2026 GJAN can fall 7.0% before its buffer engages and PMAR 6.8%, and GJAN resets 44 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: PMAR 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
GJAN resets first, on Jan 15, 2027, 126 days from now; PMAR runs to Feb 28, 2027, 170 days. GJAN can still gain 4.0% before its cap, PMAR 5.2%. A fall from here reaches GJAN’s buffer after 7.0% and PMAR’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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJAN | PMAR | GJAN | PMAR | |
| 3 months | +2.8% | +2.6% | −0.5 pts | −0.7 pts |
| 6 months | +9.2% | +8.7% | −6.8 pts | −7.3 pts |
| 1 year | +11.0% | +11.7% | −6.5 pts | −5.8 pts |
| 3 years | +39.9% | +43.0% | −38.0 pts | −34.9 pts |
| GJAN FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - January Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.8%, over a period ending Jan 15, 2027 | PMAR Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - Mar Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.8%, over a period ending Feb 28, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Jan 20, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | Feb 28, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 |
| Days left | 126 | 170 |
| Starting cap | +11.8% | +12.8% |
| Can still gain | 4.0% | 5.2% |
| Fall before buffer | 7.0% | 6.8% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +10.5% | +11.4% |
| Fund return this period | +6.7% | +6.8% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
GJAN in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 4.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 7.0% 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. 126 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Jan 15, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
PMAR in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 5.2% 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 10.2% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. 170 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Feb 28, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, GJAN or PMAR?
- From their prices on Sep 13, 2026, GJAN can gain about 4.0% before its cap and PMAR about 5.2%, so PMAR has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, GJAN or PMAR?
- GJAN ends its outcome period on Jan 15, 2027 and PMAR on Feb 28, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, GJAN or PMAR?
- GJAN charges 0.85% a year and PMAR charges 0.79%, so PMAR 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, GJAN against PMAR, data as of Sep 13, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/gjan-vs-pmar Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.