Data as of .
AJUL vs XJUN: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 XJUN can fall 3.2% before its buffer engages and AJUL 1.0%, and XJUN resets 379 days sooner.
These are two different products. AJUL is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. XJUN 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. XJUN has 269 days of its period left and AJUL has 648, so the two are not the same bet on the same months.
Where each one stands today
XJUN resets first, on Jun 17, 2027, 269 days from now; AJUL runs to Jun 30, 2028, 648 days. AJUL can still gain 17.1% before its cap, XJUN 7.6%. A fall from here reaches AJUL’s buffer after 1.0% and XJUN’s after 3.2%. 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 | XJUN | AJUL | XJUN | |
| 3 months | +0.6% | +2.0% | −1.6 pts | −0.3 pts |
| 6 months | +4.5% | +5.7% | −13.5 pts | −12.3 pts |
| 1 year | +5.7% | +7.4% | −10.9 pts | −9.2 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +34.2% | not published | −44.2 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 | XJUN FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - June Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.0%, over a period ending Jun 17, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 100% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Jun 30, 2026 to Jun 30, 2028 | Jun 22, 2026 to Jun 17, 2027 |
| Days left | 648 | 269 |
| Starting cap | +18.3% | +11.0% |
| Can still gain | 17.1% | 7.6% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.0% | 3.2% |
| 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% | +2.4% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $98m | $139m |
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.
XJUN in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 7.6% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 3.2% 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. 269 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jun 17, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, AJUL or XJUN?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, AJUL can gain about 17.1% before its cap and XJUN about 7.6%, so AJUL has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, AJUL or XJUN?
- AJUL ends its outcome period on Jun 30, 2028 and XJUN on Jun 17, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, AJUL or XJUN?
- AJUL charges 0.79% a year and XJUN charges 0.85%, 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 XJUN, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ajul-vs-xjun Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.