Data as of .
BDEC vs XNOV: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 BDEC can fall 10.2% before its buffer engages and XNOV 9.1%, and XNOV resets 10 days sooner.
These are two different products. XNOV is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. BDEC 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
XNOV resets first, on Nov 20, 2026, 63 days from now; BDEC runs to Nov 30, 2026, 73 days. BDEC can still gain 5.6% before its cap, XNOV 1.1%. A fall from here reaches BDEC’s buffer after 10.2% and XNOV’s after 9.1%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDEC | XNOV | BDEC | XNOV | |
| 3 months | +2.4% | +2.2% | +0.2 pts | 0.0 pts |
| 6 months | +13.7% | +8.5% | −4.3 pts | −9.5 pts |
| 1 year | +14.4% | +10.6% | −2.2 pts | −6.0 pts |
| 3 years | +50.9% | not published | −27.5 pts | not published |
| BDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - Dec Absorbs the first 9% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 17.4%, over a period ending Nov 30, 2026 | XNOV FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - November Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.1%, over a period ending Nov 20, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 9% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Nov 30, 2025 to Nov 30, 2026 | Nov 24, 2025 to Nov 20, 2026 |
| Days left | 73 | 63 |
| Starting cap | +17.4% | +11.1% |
| Can still gain | 5.6% | 1.1% |
| Fall before buffer | 10.2% | 9.1% |
| Protection left, index points | 9.0% of 9.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +11.5% | +15.6% |
| Fund return this period | +10.5% | +9.1% |
| State today | Open | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $213m | $58m |
BDEC in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 5.6% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 10.2% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 10.3% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 9.0% of the 9.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 73 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Nov 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
XNOV in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +11.1% 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 1.1% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 9.1% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 13.5% 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. 63 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Nov 20, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, BDEC or XNOV?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, BDEC can gain about 5.6% before its cap and XNOV about 1.1%, so BDEC has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, BDEC or XNOV?
- BDEC ends its outcome period on Nov 30, 2026 and XNOV on Nov 20, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, BDEC or XNOV?
- BDEC charges 0.79% a year and XNOV charges 0.85%, so BDEC 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, BDEC against XNOV, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/bdec-vs-xnov Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.