Data as of . Every figure is the buffer desk's own, on published data.
DOCT vs PSEP
FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October and Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - Sep, side by side on the buffer desk.
Open the live comparison on ETFIQ| DOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October | PSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - Sep | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | ||
| Outcome period | Oct 20, 2025 to Oct 16, 2026 | Aug 31, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 42 | 361 |
| Starting cap | +11.7% | +15.0% |
| Can still gain | 0.9% | 14.7% |
| Fall before buffer | 14.3% | 0.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +15.9% | +0.4% |
| Fund return this period | +9.8% | +0.3% |
| State today | At cap | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
DOCT in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +11.7% 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 0.9% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 14.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 18.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 25.0% of the 25.0% 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.
PSEP in plain words
From its price on Sep 4, 2026, the fund can gain about 14.7% 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: 15.0% of the 15.0% 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.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DOCT or PSEP?
- From their prices on Sep 4, 2026, DOCT can gain about 0.9% before its cap and PSEP about 14.7%, so PSEP has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DOCT or PSEP?
- DOCT ends its outcome period on Oct 16, 2026 and PSEP on Aug 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DOCT or PSEP?
- DOCT charges 0.85% a year and PSEP charges 0.79%, so PSEP is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
Cite this page. ETFIQ, DOCT against PSEP, data as of Sep 4, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/DOCT-PSEP.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