Data as of .
BSEP vs GJAN: which one stands where?
As of Sep 13, 2026 GJAN can fall 7.0% before its buffer engages and BSEP 0.0%, and GJAN resets 228 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
GJAN resets first, on Jan 15, 2027, 126 days from now; BSEP runs to Aug 31, 2027, 354 days. BSEP can still gain 20.0% before its cap, GJAN 4.0%. A fall from here reaches BSEP’s buffer after 0.0% 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSEP | GJAN | BSEP | GJAN | |
| 3 months | +3.1% | +2.8% | −0.2 pts | −0.5 pts |
| 6 months | +11.3% | +9.2% | −4.7 pts | −6.8 pts |
| 1 year | +12.7% | +11.0% | −4.8 pts | −6.5 pts |
| 3 years | +55.6% | +39.9% | −22.3 pts | −38.0 pts |
| BSEP Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - Sep Absorbs the first 9% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 19.8%, over a period ending Aug 31, 2027 | 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 | Aug 31, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027 | Jan 20, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 |
| Days left | 354 | 126 |
| Starting cap | +19.8% | +11.8% |
| Can still gain | 20.0% | 4.0% |
| Fall before buffer | 0.0% | 7.0% |
| Protection left, index points | 8.6% of 9.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | −0.4% | +10.5% |
| Fund return this period | −0.2% | +6.7% |
| State today | Buffer working | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
BSEP in plain words
From its price on Sep 13, 2026, the fund can gain about 20.0% more before it reaches its cap. Protection left, in index points: 8.6% of the 9.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 354 days remained on Sep 13, 2026. On Aug 31, 2027 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, BSEP or GJAN?
- From their prices on Sep 13, 2026, BSEP can gain about 20.0% before its cap and GJAN about 4.0%, so BSEP has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, BSEP or GJAN?
- BSEP ends its outcome period on Aug 31, 2027 and GJAN on Jan 15, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, BSEP or GJAN?
- BSEP charges 0.79% a year and GJAN charges 0.85%, so BSEP 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, BSEP against GJAN, data as of Sep 13, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/bsep-vs-gjan Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.