Data as of .
BALT vs DDFO: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 DDFO can fall 8.3% before its buffer engages and BALT 1.7%.
These are two different products. DDFO is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. BALT is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Both are Innovator funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
BALT resets first, on Sep 30, 2026, 12 days from now; DDFO runs to Sep 30, 2026, 12 days. BALT can still gain 0.8% before its cap, DDFO 0.1%. A fall from here reaches BALT’s buffer after 1.7% and DDFO’s after 8.3%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BALT | DDFO | BALT | DDFO | |
| 3 months | +1.7% | +1.9% | −0.6 pts | −0.3 pts |
| 6 months | +4.1% | +7.2% | −13.9 pts | −10.9 pts |
| 1 year | +6.3% | not published | −10.3 pts | not published |
| 3 years | +24.3% | not published | −54.1 pts | not published |
| BALT Innovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF - Quarterly Absorbs the first 20% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 2.5%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | DDFO Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - Oct Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 9.0%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 20% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Jun 30, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 | Sep 30, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 12 | 12 |
| Starting cap | +2.5% | +9.0% |
| Can still gain | 0.8% | 0.1% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.7% | 8.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 20.0% of 20.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +2.0% | +14.3% |
| Fund return this period | +1.6% | +8.1% |
| State today | Open | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.69% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $2.9bn | $99m |
BALT in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 0.8% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.7% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 2.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 20.0% of the 20.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 12 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
DDFO in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +9.0% for the period on Sep 19, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 0.1% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 8.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 12.5% 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.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, BALT or DDFO?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, BALT can gain about 0.8% before its cap and DDFO about 0.1%, so BALT has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, BALT or DDFO?
- BALT ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and DDFO on Sep 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, BALT or DDFO?
- BALT charges 0.69% a year and DDFO charges 0.79%, so BALT 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, BALT against DDFO, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/balt-vs-ddfo Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.