Data as of .
AJUL vs DDFL: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DDFL can fall 2.4% before its buffer engages and AJUL 1.0%, and DDFL resets 366 days sooner.
These are two different products. AJUL is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDFL is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
They do not reset together. DDFL has 282 days of its period left and AJUL has 648, so the two are not the same bet on the same months.
Both are Innovator funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
DDFL resets first, on Jun 30, 2027, 282 days from now; AJUL runs to Jun 30, 2028, 648 days. AJUL can still gain 17.1% before its cap, DDFL 8.3%. A fall from here reaches AJUL’s buffer after 1.0% and DDFL’s after 2.4%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AJUL | DDFL | AJUL | DDFL | |
| 3 months | +0.6% | +2.1% | −1.6 pts | −0.2 pts |
| 6 months | +4.5% | +5.5% | −13.5 pts | −12.6 pts |
| 1 year | +5.7% | +7.0% | −10.9 pts | −9.6 pts |
| AJUL Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - Jul 2028 Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 18.3%, over a period ending Jun 30, 2028 | DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - Jul Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 10.9%, over a period ending Jun 30, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 100% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Jun 30, 2026 to Jun 30, 2028 | Jun 30, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027 |
| Days left | 648 | 282 |
| Starting cap | +18.3% | +10.9% |
| Can still gain | 17.1% | 8.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.0% | 2.4% |
| Protection left, index points | 100.0% of 100.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +3.6% | +3.6% |
| Fund return this period | +0.9% | +2.3% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $98m | $158m |
AJUL in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 17.1% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.0% 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: 100.0% of the 100.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 648 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jun 30, 2028 the period ends and a new cap is set.
DDFL in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 8.3% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 2.4% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 282 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jun 30, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, AJUL or DDFL?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, AJUL can gain about 17.1% before its cap and DDFL about 8.3%, so AJUL has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, AJUL or DDFL?
- AJUL ends its outcome period on Jun 30, 2028 and DDFL on Jun 30, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, AJUL or DDFL?
- AJUL charges 0.79% a year and DDFL charges 0.79%, so AJUL 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, AJUL against DDFL, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ajul-vs-ddfl Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.