Data as of .
PBAP vs XMAR: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 XMAR can fall 7.9% before its buffer engages and PBAP 7.4%, and XMAR resets 12 days sooner.
These are two different products. XMAR is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. PBAP is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Where each one stands today
XMAR resets first, on Mar 19, 2027, 182 days from now; PBAP runs to Mar 31, 2027, 194 days. PBAP can still gain 4.3% before its cap, XMAR 3.4%. A fall from here reaches PBAP’s buffer after 7.4% and XMAR’s after 7.9%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBAP | XMAR | PBAP | XMAR | |
| 3 months | +2.1% | +2.0% | −0.2 pts | −0.2 pts |
| 6 months | +8.2% | +7.5% | −9.8 pts | −10.6 pts |
| 1 year | +11.4% | +11.1% | −5.2 pts | −5.5 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +36.5% | not published | −41.9 pts |
| PBAP PGIM S&P 500 Buffer 20 ETF - April Absorbs the first 20% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.6%, over a period ending Mar 31, 2027 | XMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.2%, over a period ending Mar 19, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | PGIM | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 20% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 | Mar 23, 2026 to Mar 19, 2027 |
| Days left | 194 | 182 |
| Starting cap | +12.6% | +12.2% |
| Can still gain | 4.3% | 3.4% |
| Fall before buffer | 7.4% | 7.9% |
| Protection left, index points | 20.0% of 20.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +17.1% | +17.4% |
| Fund return this period | +7.5% | +7.7% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.50% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $37m | $154m |
PBAP in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +12.6% for the period on Sep 19, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 4.3% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 7.4% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 14.6% 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. 194 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Mar 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
XMAR in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +12.2% for the period on Sep 19, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 3.4% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 7.9% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 14.9% 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. 182 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Mar 19, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, PBAP or XMAR?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, PBAP can gain about 4.3% before its cap and XMAR about 3.4%, so PBAP has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, PBAP or XMAR?
- PBAP ends its outcome period on Mar 31, 2027 and XMAR on Mar 19, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, PBAP or XMAR?
- PBAP charges 0.50% a year and XMAR charges 0.85%, so PBAP 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, PBAP against XMAR, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/pbap-vs-xmar Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.