PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October (PQOC) Fund Overview
Educational signal · not a buy or sell recommendation · How to read this
Beta 0.74: the stock has moved about 26% less than the S&P 500.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Machine-generated analysis by Stock Expert AI — model gemini-2.0-flash, generated Mar 17, 2026. Editorial oversight is systemic, not page-by-page. Editorially accountable: Sedat ANAK, Founder and Editor-in-Chief. Data sources: Financial Modeling Prep, Yahoo Finance, SEC EDGAR
Quick AnswerPGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October (PQOC) trades at $32.61. Sector: Financials.
Price as of · Last analyzed: Mar 17, 2026Analyst Coverage for PQOC: PQOC does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage.
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October (PQOC) Financial Services Profile
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October (PQOC) employs a unique strategy using FLEX options to provide investors with a buffer against the first 12% of potential losses in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) over a one-year period, while foregoing upside beyond a certain cap, operating within the asset management sector.
What Is the Investment Thesis for PQOC?
PQOC presents a targeted investment strategy for investors seeking to mitigate downside risk in the Nasdaq-100. The fund's use of FLEX options to buffer against the first 12% of losses in QQQ offers a degree of protection in volatile markets. However, investors should carefully consider the trade-off of foregoing upside potential beyond the established cap. The fund's effectiveness is contingent on holding it for the entire outcome period, which begins each October. The fund's beta of 0.74 suggests lower volatility compared to the broader market. Key value drivers include the fund's ability to attract risk-averse investors and its potential to outperform QQQ in down markets. Ongoing monitoring of the cap levels and expense ratio is crucial for assessing the fund's overall performance and suitability for individual investment goals.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
PQOC Key Highlights
PQOC aims to buffer against the first 12% of losses in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) over a one-year period, offering downside protection.
- The fund utilizes FLEX options to achieve its buffer strategy, providing flexibility in managing risk exposure.
- PQOC foregoes upside participation above a certain threshold, which resets annually, limiting potential gains in exchange for downside protection.
- The fund's strategy does not capture the dividend component of QQQ, as the options are based on price rather than total return.
- PQOC has a beta of 0.74, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market, which may appeal to risk-averse investors.
Who Are PQOC's Competitors?
PQOC is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | MoonshotScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSCL Direxion Daily CSCO Bull 2X ETF | $54.38 | +0.98% | $5.54M | — |
| FOWF Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | $33.94 | +0.25% | $15.3M | — |
| IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF | $32.39 | -0.48% | $5.15M | — |
| BLK BlackRock, Inc. | $1066.45 | +0.64% | $165B | 51 5-pillar |
| BX Blackstone Inc. | $111.64 | -0.09% | $136B | 68 5-pillar |
| APOS Apollo Global Management, Inc. | $25.59 | 0.00% | $74.8B | 56 5-pillar |
| BAM Brookfield Asset Management | $44.73 | -0.27% | $71.4B | 57 5-pillar |
| AMP Ameriprise Financial, Inc. | $494.94 | +0.82% | $44.4B | 77 5-pillar |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are PQOC's Key Strengths?
Defined downside protection strategy.
- Use of FLEX options for flexibility.
- Actively managed approach.
- Established brand reputation of PGIM.
What Are PQOC's Weaknesses?
Limited upside potential due to capped gains.
- Does not capture dividend component of QQQ.
- Performance dependent on holding through the entire outcome period.
- Expense ratio can impact overall returns.
What Are the Key Risks for PQOC?
Limited upside participation in strong bull markets.
- Expense ratio reducing overall returns.
- Dependence on the performance of Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ).
- Changes in options market liquidity affecting strategy execution.
- The fund must be held to the end of the outcome period to achieve the intended results.
What Threats Does PQOC Face?
- Increased competition from similar buffer ETFs.
- Changes in market volatility impacting options pricing.
- Regulatory changes affecting ETF operations.
- Economic downturn leading to decreased investor confidence.
What Are PQOC's Competitive Advantages?
- Proprietary options strategy: PQOC's use of FLEX options to create a buffer against losses provides a unique value proposition.
- Defined outcome strategy: The fund's clear and transparent approach to downside protection appeals to investors seeking clarity.
- Brand reputation: PGIM's established reputation in the asset management industry enhances investor confidence.
What Does PQOC Do?
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October (PQOC) is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to provide investors with a defined level of downside protection against potential losses in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index. Launched with the goal of mitigating risk, PQOC utilizes a strategy involving FLEX options. These options are employed to create a buffer against the first 12% of losses in QQQ over a one-year period, beginning each October. In exchange for this downside protection, PQOC foregoes participation in QQQ's upside gains above a certain threshold, which is reset annually. The fund's strategy also means it does not capture the dividend component of QQQ, as the options are based on price rather than total return. Investors should be aware that the fund must be held through the entire outcome period to achieve the intended buffer. Buying at any other time may result in a different protection and buffer zone. The issuer publishes interim cap levels on its website. The targeted cap and buffer do not include the fund's expense ratio. PQOC operates within the broader asset management industry, catering to investors seeking risk-managed exposure to the Nasdaq-100.
What Products and Services Does PQOC Offer?
- PQOC seeks to provide a buffer against potential losses in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ).
- The fund uses FLEX options to achieve its buffer strategy.
- PQOC aims to protect investors from the first 12% of losses in QQQ over a one-year period.
- The fund foregoes upside participation above a certain threshold, which resets annually.
- PQOC does not capture the dividend component of QQQ.
- The fund is actively managed and uses a defined outcome strategy.
How Does PQOC Make Money?
- PQOC generates revenue through management fees charged to investors.
- The fund's profitability depends on its ability to attract and retain assets under management (AUM).
- The fund's expense ratio impacts its overall performance and attractiveness to investors.
What Industry Does PQOC Operate In?
PQOC operates within the asset management industry, specifically in the segment of risk-managed investment products. The ETF market has seen significant growth in recent years, with increasing demand for specialized strategies that cater to specific risk profiles. PQOC's focus on downside protection aligns with this trend, offering investors a way to participate in the Nasdaq-100 while mitigating potential losses. Competitors in this space include firms offering similar buffer ETFs or other risk-managed investment solutions. The fund's success depends on its ability to effectively manage risk and deliver on its stated objective of providing a buffer against losses in QQQ.
Who Are PQOC's Key Customers?
- Risk-averse investors seeking downside protection.
- Financial advisors looking for risk-managed investment solutions.
- Institutional investors seeking to mitigate market risk.
Research confidence
Thin evidence — scoring coverage unknown. Treat this as a starting point, not a conclusion.
- ● Scoring coverage unknown
- ● Price is current
- ● No filing on record
- ● No analyst coverage
- ● This is an etf, not an operating company
PQOC Financials
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Defined downside protection strategy.
- Use of FLEX options for flexibility.
- Actively managed approach.
- Established brand reputation of PGIM.
Bear Case
- Limited upside potential due to capped gains.
- Does not capture dividend component of QQQ.
- Performance dependent on holding through the entire outcome period.
- Expense ratio can impact overall returns.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
PQOC Latest News
No recent news available for PQOC.
PQOC Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations collected by Financial Modeling Prep for PQOC.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for PQOC.
PQOC MoonshotScore
MoonshotScore is Stock Expert AI's proprietary 0-100 research rating, not a buy or sell recommendation. No MoonshotScore is published for PQOC; grades run from A+ (80-100) to F (below 30).
What Investors Ask About PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - October (PQOC) — Financials
What are the main risks for PQOC?
The main risks for PQOC include limited upside participation in strong bull markets, as the fund foregoes gains above a certain cap. The fund's expense ratio can also reduce overall returns.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
MoonshotScore is not published for this security.
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- Performance data is not available, making it difficult to assess historical returns.
- The fund's strategy is complex and may not be suitable for all investors.