Data as of .
DAPR vs DDFY: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DAPR can fall 10.1% before its buffer engages and DDFY 4.3%, and DAPR resets 14 days sooner.
These are two different products. DDFY is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DAPR 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
DAPR resets first, on Apr 16, 2027, 207 days from now; DDFY runs to Apr 30, 2027, 221 days. DAPR can still gain 6.2% before its cap, DDFY 5.7%. A fall from here reaches DAPR’s buffer after 10.1% and DDFY’s after 4.3%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAPR | DDFY | DAPR | DDFY | |
| 3 months | +1.9% | +1.9% | −0.4 pts | −0.3 pts |
| 6 months | +5.2% | not published | −12.8 pts | not published |
| 1 year | +7.9% | not published | −8.7 pts | not published |
| 3 years | +34.8% | not published | −43.6 pts | not published |
| DAPR FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 30.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 12.0%, over a period ending Apr 16, 2027 | DDFY Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - May Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 10.5%, over a period ending Apr 30, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 30% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Apr 20, 2026 to Apr 16, 2027 | Apr 30, 2026 to Apr 30, 2027 |
| Days left | 207 | 221 |
| Starting cap | +12.0% | +10.5% |
| Can still gain | 6.2% | 5.7% |
| Fall before buffer | 10.1% | 4.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +9.0% | +7.7% |
| Fund return this period | +4.7% | +4.2% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $323m | $76m |
DAPR in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 6.2% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 10.1% 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: 25.0% of the 25.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 207 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Apr 16, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
DDFY in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 5.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 4.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 7.1% 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. 221 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Apr 30, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DAPR or DDFY?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DAPR can gain about 6.2% before its cap and DDFY about 5.7%, so DAPR has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DAPR or DDFY?
- DAPR ends its outcome period on Apr 16, 2027 and DDFY on Apr 30, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DAPR or DDFY?
- DAPR charges 0.85% a year and DDFY charges 0.79%, so DDFY 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, DAPR against DDFY, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/dapr-vs-ddfy Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.