Data as of .
PAUG vs PDEC: which one stands where?
As of Sep 13, 2026 PDEC can fall 8.8% before its buffer engages and PAUG 1.5%, and PDEC resets 243 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: PAUG 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
PDEC resets first, on Nov 30, 2026, 80 days from now; PAUG runs to Jul 31, 2027, 323 days. PAUG can still gain 12.1% before its cap, PDEC 3.3%. A fall from here reaches PAUG’s buffer after 1.5% and PDEC’s after 8.8%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAUG | PDEC | PAUG | PDEC | |
| 3 months | +2.9% | +3.1% | −0.5 pts | −0.2 pts |
| 6 months | +8.7% | +9.9% | −7.3 pts | −6.1 pts |
| 1 year | +10.6% | +12.9% | −7.0 pts | −4.6 pts |
| 3 years | +46.8% | +40.5% | −31.1 pts | −37.4 pts |
| 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 | PDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - Dec Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.1%, over a period ending Nov 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Jul 31, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 | Nov 30, 2025 to Nov 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 323 | 80 |
| Starting cap | +13.8% | +13.1% |
| Can still gain | 12.1% | 3.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.5% | 8.8% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +2.3% | +11.8% |
| Fund return this period | +1.4% | +8.9% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.79% |
PAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 12.1% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.5% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 2.3% 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. 323 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Jul 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
PDEC in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.3% 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 10.6% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. 80 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Nov 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, PAUG or PDEC?
- From their prices on Sep 13, 2026, PAUG can gain about 12.1% before its cap and PDEC about 3.3%, so PAUG has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, PAUG or PDEC?
- PAUG ends its outcome period on Jul 31, 2027 and PDEC on Nov 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, PAUG or PDEC?
- PAUG charges 0.79% a year and PDEC charges 0.79%, so PAUG 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 PDEC, data as of Sep 13, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/paug-vs-pdec Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.