Data as of .
DDEC vs ZJAN: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DDEC can fall 13.1% before its buffer engages and ZJAN 4.4%, and DDEC resets 13 days sooner.
These are two different products. ZJAN 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, 88 days from now; ZJAN runs to Dec 31, 2026, 101 days. DDEC can still gain 2.5% before its cap, ZJAN 1.9%. A fall from here reaches DDEC’s buffer after 13.1% and ZJAN’s after 4.4%. 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 | ZJAN | DDEC | ZJAN | |
| 3 months | +2.4% | +1.4% | +0.2 pts | −0.9 pts |
| 6 months | +10.1% | +4.2% | −8.0 pts | −13.8 pts |
| 1 year | +11.4% | +5.7% | −5.2 pts | −10.8 pts |
| 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 | ZJAN Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr January Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 6.5%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 30% | 100% |
| Outcome period | Dec 22, 2025 to Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026 |
| Days left | 88 | 101 |
| Starting cap | +12.0% | +6.5% |
| Can still gain | 2.5% | 1.9% |
| Fall before buffer | 13.1% | 4.4% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 100.0% of 100.0% |
| Index return this period | +13.7% | +13.5% |
| Fund return this period | +8.4% | +4.0% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $439m | $109m |
DDEC in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +12.0% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 2.5% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 13.1% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 16.4% 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. 88 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Dec 18, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
ZJAN in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +6.5% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 1.9% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 4.4% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 11.9% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 100.0% of the 100.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 101 days remained on Sep 21, 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 ZJAN?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DDEC can gain about 2.5% before its cap and ZJAN about 1.9%, so DDEC has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDEC or ZJAN?
- DDEC ends its outcome period on Dec 18, 2026 and ZJAN on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDEC or ZJAN?
- DDEC charges 0.85% a year and ZJAN charges 0.79%, so ZJAN 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 ZJAN, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddec-vs-zjan Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.