Data as of .
DAUG vs FAUG: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DAUG can fall 6.4% before its buffer engages and FAUG 1.8%.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: DAUG 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
Both are First Trust funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
DAUG resets first, on Aug 20, 2027, 333 days from now; FAUG runs to Aug 20, 2027, 333 days. DAUG can still gain 12.3% before its cap, FAUG 15.2%. A fall from here reaches DAUG’s buffer after 6.4% and FAUG’s after 1.8%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAUG | FAUG | DAUG | FAUG | |
| 3 months | +1.5% | +2.2% | −0.7 pts | 0.0 pts |
| 6 months | +9.2% | +11.5% | −8.8 pts | −6.5 pts |
| 1 year | +9.1% | +11.4% | −7.5 pts | −5.2 pts |
| 3 years | +40.8% | +50.0% | −37.6 pts | −28.4 pts |
| DAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 30.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 13.8%, over a period ending Aug 20, 2027 | FAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 17.2%, over a period ending Aug 20, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 30% | 10% |
| Outcome period | Aug 24, 2026 to Aug 20, 2027 | Aug 24, 2026 to Aug 20, 2027 |
| Days left | 333 | 333 |
| Starting cap | +13.8% | +17.2% |
| Can still gain | 12.3% | 15.2% |
| Fall before buffer | 6.4% | 1.8% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +1.1% | +1.1% |
| Fund return this period | +0.6% | +1.0% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $431m | $1.3bn |
DAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 12.3% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 6.4% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 6.0% 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. 333 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Aug 20, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
FAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 15.2% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.8% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 1.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 10.0% of the 10.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DAUG or FAUG?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DAUG can gain about 12.3% before its cap and FAUG about 15.2%, so FAUG has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DAUG or FAUG?
- DAUG ends its outcome period on Aug 20, 2027 and FAUG on Aug 20, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DAUG or FAUG?
- DAUG charges 0.85% a year and FAUG charges 0.85%, so DAUG 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, DAUG against FAUG, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/daug-vs-faug Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.