Data as of .
DDEC vs DDTJ: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 DDEC can fall 12.7% before its buffer engages and DDTJ 8.3%, and DDEC resets 13 days sooner.
These are two different products. DDTJ is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDEC 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
DDEC resets first, on Dec 18, 2026, 91 days from now; DDTJ runs to Dec 31, 2026, 104 days. DDEC can still gain 3.0% before its cap, DDTJ 3.5%. A fall from here reaches DDEC’s buffer after 12.7% and DDTJ’s after 8.3%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDEC | DDTJ | DDEC | DDTJ | |
| 3 months | +2.4% | +2.3% | +0.2 pts | +0.1 pts |
| 6 months | +10.1% | +11.2% | −8.0 pts | −6.8 pts |
| 1 year | +11.4% | not published | −5.2 pts | not published |
| 3 years | +41.8% | not published | −36.6 pts | not published |
| DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 30.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 12.0%, over a period ending Dec 18, 2026 | DDTJ Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - Jan Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.8%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 30% | 10% |
| Outcome period | Dec 22, 2025 to Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026 |
| Days left | 91 | 104 |
| Starting cap | +12.0% | +12.8% |
| Can still gain | 3.0% | 3.5% |
| Fall before buffer | 12.7% | 8.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +11.9% | +11.7% |
| Fund return this period | +7.8% | +8.4% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $439m | $18m |
DDEC in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 12.7% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 15.1% 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. 91 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Dec 18, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
DDTJ in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.5% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 8.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 10.5% 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. 104 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Dec 31, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDEC or DDTJ?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, DDEC can gain about 3.0% before its cap and DDTJ about 3.5%, so DDTJ has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDEC or DDTJ?
- DDEC ends its outcome period on Dec 18, 2026 and DDTJ on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDEC or DDTJ?
- DDEC charges 0.85% a year and DDTJ charges 0.79%, so DDTJ 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, DDEC against DDTJ, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddec-vs-ddtj Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.