Data as of .
PBAU vs UAUG: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 UAUG can fall 6.9% before its buffer engages and PBAU 2.3%.
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
PBAU resets first, on Jul 31, 2027, 313 days from now; UAUG runs to Jul 31, 2027, 313 days. PBAU can still gain 9.7% before its cap, UAUG 11.8%. A fall from here reaches PBAU’s buffer after 2.3% and UAUG’s after 6.9%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBAU | UAUG | PBAU | UAUG | |
| 3 months | +2.2% | +2.3% | −0.1 pts | 0.0 pts |
| 6 months | +8.3% | +9.4% | −9.8 pts | −8.6 pts |
| 1 year | +9.2% | +9.5% | −7.4 pts | −7.1 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +46.8% | not published | −31.6 pts |
| 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 | UAUG Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - Aug Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 35.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 14.0%, over a period ending Jul 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | PGIM | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 20% | 5% to 35% |
| Outcome period | Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 | Jul 31, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 313 | 313 |
| Starting cap | +12.2% | +14.0% |
| Can still gain | 9.7% | 11.8% |
| Fall before buffer | 2.3% | 6.9% |
| Protection left, index points | 20.0% of 20.0% | 30.0% of 30.0% |
| Index return this period | +3.6% | +3.6% |
| Fund return this period | +1.8% | +1.9% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.50% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $40m | $243m |
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. In index terms, SPY can fall 3.5% 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. 313 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jul 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
UAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 11.8% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 6.9% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 8.3% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 30.0% of the 30.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, PBAU or UAUG?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, PBAU can gain about 9.7% before its cap and UAUG about 11.8%, so UAUG has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, PBAU or UAUG?
- PBAU ends its outcome period on Jul 31, 2027 and UAUG on Jul 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, PBAU or UAUG?
- PBAU charges 0.50% a year and UAUG charges 0.79%, 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, PBAU against UAUG, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/pbau-vs-uaug Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.