Data as of .
PQOC vs QBQF: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 PQOC can fall 13.8% before its buffer engages and QBQF 1.3%, and PQOC resets 1 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: QBQF 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
PQOC resets first, on Sep 30, 2026, 9 days from now; QBQF runs to Sep 30, 2026, 10 days. PQOC can still gain 0.3% before its cap, QBQF 3.0%. A fall from here reaches PQOC’s buffer after 13.8% and QBQF’s after 1.3%. Both track QQQ, 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PQOC | QBQF | PQOC | QBQF | |
| 3 months | +3.3% | 0.0% | +5.8 pts | +2.4 pts |
| 6 months | +16.0% | not published | −8.2 pts | not published |
| 1 year | +15.6% | not published | −6.2 pts | not published |
| PQOC PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October Absorbs the first 12% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 16.3%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | QBQF AllianzIM Growth-100 Buffer15 ETF - Jan Absorbs the first 15% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 4.3%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | PGIM | AllianzIM |
| Reference index | QQQ | QQQ |
| Buffer | 12% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026 | Jul 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 9 | 10 |
| Starting cap | +16.3% | +4.3% |
| Can still gain | 0.3% | 3.0% |
| Fall before buffer | 13.8% | 1.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 12.0% of 12.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +23.4% | +0.6% |
| Fund return this period | +15.4% | +1.1% |
| State today | At cap | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.50% | 0.74% |
| Net assets | $26m | $10m |
PQOC in plain words
QQQ had already risen past this fund's cap of +16.3% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 0.3% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 13.8% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 18.9% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 12.0% of the 12.0% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level. 9 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
QBQF in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 0.6% 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 QQQ level. 10 days remained on Sep 21, 2026.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, PQOC or QBQF?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, PQOC can gain about 0.3% before its cap and QBQF about 3.0%, so QBQF has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, PQOC or QBQF?
- PQOC ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and QBQF on Sep 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, PQOC or QBQF?
- PQOC charges 0.50% a year and QBQF charges 0.74%, so PQOC 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, PQOC against QBQF, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/pqoc-vs-qbqf Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.