Data as of . Every figure is the buffer desk's own, on published data.
BSEP vs FOCT
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - Sep and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October, side by side on the buffer desk.
Open the live comparison on ETFIQ| BSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - Sep | FOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | ||
| Outcome period | Aug 31, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027 | Oct 20, 2025 to Oct 16, 2026 |
| Days left | 361 | 42 |
| Starting cap | +19.8% | +15.1% |
| Can still gain | 19.4% | 1.6% |
| Fall before buffer | 0.3% | 11.9% |
| Protection left, index points | 9.0% of 9.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +0.4% | +15.9% |
| Fund return this period | +0.3% | +12.5% |
| State today | Open | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
BSEP in plain words
From its price on Sep 4, 2026, the fund can gain about 19.4% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 0.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 0.4% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 9.0% of the 9.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 361 days remained on Sep 4, 2026. On Aug 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
FOCT in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +15.1% for the period on Sep 4, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 1.6% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 11.9% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 13.7% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 10.0% of the 10.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 42 days remained on Sep 4, 2026. On Oct 16, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, BSEP or FOCT?
- From their prices on Sep 4, 2026, BSEP can gain about 19.4% before its cap and FOCT about 1.6%, so BSEP has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, BSEP or FOCT?
- BSEP ends its outcome period on Aug 31, 2027 and FOCT on Oct 16, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, BSEP or FOCT?
- BSEP charges 0.79% a year and FOCT charges 0.85%, so BSEP is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Cite this page. ETFIQ, BSEP against FOCT, data as of Sep 4, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/BSEP-FOCT.html Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.
ETFIQ is an independent publisher of exchange-traded fund data. It is not a fund issuer, broker-dealer or investment adviser, and it makes no recommendations; every figure here is stated arithmetic on published data. Standards and sources