Data as of .
BOCT vs GJAN: which one stands where?
As of Sep 13, 2026 BOCT can fall 12.2% before its buffer engages and GJAN 7.0%, and BOCT resets 107 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: GJAN scores higher
If the market falls into a bear market from here, how much does the buffer absorb?
A percentile among the 293 buffer ETFs with a live outcome period. It is a position in a set, not a rating, and neither end of it is a recommendation. All buffer ETFs ranked by it · How it is computed
Where each one stands today
BOCT resets first, on Sep 30, 2026, 19 days from now; GJAN runs to Jan 15, 2027, 126 days. BOCT can still gain 1.4% before its cap, GJAN 4.0%. A fall from here reaches BOCT’s buffer after 12.2% and GJAN’s after 7.0%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOCT | GJAN | BOCT | GJAN | |
| 3 months | +4.0% | +2.8% | +0.7 pts | −0.5 pts |
| 6 months | +12.6% | +9.2% | −3.4 pts | −6.8 pts |
| 1 year | +14.3% | +11.0% | −3.2 pts | −6.5 pts |
| 3 years | +48.0% | +39.9% | −29.8 pts | −38.0 pts |
| BOCT Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - Oct Absorbs the first 9% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 15.4%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | GJAN FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - January Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.8%, over a period ending Jan 15, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 9% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Sep 30, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026 | Jan 20, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 |
| Days left | 19 | 126 |
| Starting cap | +15.4% | +11.8% |
| Can still gain | 1.4% | 4.0% |
| Fall before buffer | 12.2% | 7.0% |
| Protection left, index points | 9.0% of 9.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +14.7% | +10.5% |
| Fund return this period | +12.9% | +6.7% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
BOCT in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 1.4% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 12.2% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 12.8% 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. 19 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
GJAN in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 4.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 7.0% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 9.5% 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. 126 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Jan 15, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, BOCT or GJAN?
- From their prices on Sep 13, 2026, BOCT can gain about 1.4% before its cap and GJAN about 4.0%, so GJAN has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, BOCT or GJAN?
- BOCT ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and GJAN on Jan 15, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, BOCT or GJAN?
- BOCT charges 0.79% a year and GJAN charges 0.85%, so BOCT 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, BOCT against GJAN, data as of Sep 13, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/boct-vs-gjan Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.