Data as of .
AOCT vs QBSF: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 AOCT can fall 11.7% before its buffer engages and QBSF 2.5%, and AOCT resets 1 days sooner.
These are two different products. AOCT is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. QBSF is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Where each one stands today
AOCT resets first, on Sep 30, 2026, 9 days from now; QBSF runs to Sep 30, 2026, 10 days. AOCT can still gain 0.0% before its cap, QBSF 0.4%. A fall from here reaches AOCT’s buffer after 11.7% and QBSF’s after 2.5%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOCT | QBSF | AOCT | QBSF | |
| 3 months | +1.2% | +1.7% | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts |
| 6 months | +4.7% | +4.8% | −13.3 pts | −13.3 pts |
| 1 year | +5.5% | +7.0% | −11.1 pts | −9.5 pts |
| AOCT Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - Oct 2026 Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.0%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | QBSF AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 ETF - Jan Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 2.9%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | AllianzIM |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 100% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Sep 30, 2024 to Sep 30, 2026 | Jul 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 9 | 10 |
| Starting cap | +13.0% | +2.9% |
| Can still gain | 0.0% | 0.4% |
| Fall before buffer | 11.7% | 2.5% |
| Protection left, index points | 100.0% of 100.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +34.9% | +3.6% |
| Fund return this period | +11.3% | +2.4% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.64% |
| Net assets | $48m | $62m |
AOCT in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +13.0% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 0.0% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 11.7% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 25.9% 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. 9 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
QBSF in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +2.9% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 0.4% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 2.5% 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: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 10 days remained on Sep 21, 2026.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, AOCT or QBSF?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, AOCT can gain about 0.0% before its cap and QBSF about 0.4%, so QBSF has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, AOCT or QBSF?
- AOCT ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and QBSF on Sep 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, AOCT or QBSF?
- AOCT charges 0.79% a year and QBSF charges 0.64%, so QBSF 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, AOCT against QBSF, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/aoct-vs-qbsf Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.