Data as of .
PAUG vs PBAU: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 PBAU can fall 2.3% before its buffer engages and PAUG 2.1%.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: PBAU 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
PAUG resets first, on Jul 31, 2027, 313 days from now; PBAU runs to Jul 31, 2027, 313 days. PAUG can still gain 11.4% before its cap, PBAU 9.7%. A fall from here reaches PAUG’s buffer after 2.1% and PBAU’s after 2.3%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAUG | PBAU | PAUG | PBAU | |
| 3 months | +2.5% | +2.2% | +0.2 pts | −0.1 pts |
| 6 months | +9.5% | +8.3% | −8.5 pts | −9.8 pts |
| 1 year | +10.0% | +9.2% | −6.5 pts | −7.4 pts |
| 3 years | +47.0% | not published | −31.4 pts | not published |
| PAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - Aug Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.8%, over a period ending Jul 31, 2027 | PBAU PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - August Absorbs the first 20% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.2%, over a period ending Jul 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | PGIM |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 20% |
| Outcome period | Jul 31, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 | Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 313 | 313 |
| Starting cap | +13.8% | +12.2% |
| Can still gain | 11.4% | 9.7% |
| Fall before buffer | 2.1% | 2.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 20.0% of 20.0% |
| Index return this period | +3.6% | +3.6% |
| Fund return this period | +2.1% | +1.8% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.50% |
| Net assets | $1.0bn | $40m |
PAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 11.4% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 2.1% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 3.5% 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. 313 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jul 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
PBAU in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 9.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 2.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. Protection left, in index points: 20.0% of the 20.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, PAUG or PBAU?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, PAUG can gain about 11.4% before its cap and PBAU about 9.7%, so PAUG has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, PAUG or PBAU?
- PAUG ends its outcome period on Jul 31, 2027 and PBAU on Jul 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, PAUG or PBAU?
- PAUG charges 0.79% a year and PBAU charges 0.50%, so PBAU 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, PAUG against PBAU, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/paug-vs-pbau Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.