Data as of .
DDFA vs GMAR: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 GMAR can fall 9.0% before its buffer engages and DDFA 8.3%, and GMAR resets 12 days sooner.
These are two different products. GMAR is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDFA 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
GMAR resets first, on Mar 19, 2027, 179 days from now; DDFA runs to Mar 31, 2027, 191 days. DDFA can still gain 4.1% before its cap, GMAR 3.9%. A fall from here reaches DDFA’s buffer after 8.3% and GMAR’s after 9.0%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDFA | GMAR | DDFA | GMAR | |
| 3 months | +2.1% | +2.1% | −0.2 pts | −0.2 pts |
| 6 months | not published | +8.5% | not published | −9.5 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +12.8% | not published | −3.8 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +40.6% | not published | −37.8 pts |
| DDFA Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - Apr Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.4%, over a period ending Mar 31, 2027 | GMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - March Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 14.1%, over a period ending Mar 19, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Mar 31, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 | Mar 23, 2026 to Mar 19, 2027 |
| Days left | 191 | 179 |
| Starting cap | +13.4% | +14.1% |
| Can still gain | 4.1% | 3.9% |
| Fall before buffer | 8.3% | 9.0% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +19.0% | +19.3% |
| Fund return this period | +8.5% | +9.0% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $108m | $396m |
DDFA in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +13.4% 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 4.1% as the period runs out. 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 16.0% 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. 191 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Mar 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
GMAR in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +14.1% 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 3.9% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 9.0% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 16.2% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. 179 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Mar 19, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDFA or GMAR?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DDFA can gain about 4.1% before its cap and GMAR about 3.9%, so DDFA has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDFA or GMAR?
- DDFA ends its outcome period on Mar 31, 2027 and GMAR on Mar 19, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDFA or GMAR?
- DDFA charges 0.79% a year and GMAR charges 0.85%, so DDFA 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, DDFA against GMAR, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddfa-vs-gmar Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.