Data as of .
DDFJ vs GDEC: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 GDEC can fall 8.6% before its buffer engages and DDFJ 6.5%, and GDEC resets 13 days sooner.
These are two different products. GDEC is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDFJ 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
GDEC resets first, on Dec 18, 2026, 88 days from now; DDFJ runs to Dec 31, 2026, 101 days. DDFJ can still gain 1.9% before its cap, GDEC 2.5%. A fall from here reaches DDFJ’s buffer after 6.5% and GDEC’s after 8.6%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDFJ | GDEC | DDFJ | GDEC | |
| 3 months | +2.0% | +2.3% | −0.3 pts | 0.0 pts |
| 6 months | +7.4% | +10.4% | −10.6 pts | −7.6 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +11.4% | not published | −5.2 pts |
| DDFJ Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - Jan Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 9.0%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026 | GDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.1%, over a period ending Dec 18, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Dec 31, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026 | Dec 22, 2025 to Dec 18, 2026 |
| Days left | 101 | 88 |
| Starting cap | +9.0% | +12.1% |
| Can still gain | 1.9% | 2.5% |
| Fall before buffer | 6.5% | 8.6% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +13.5% | +13.7% |
| Fund return this period | +6.3% | +8.5% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $75m | $427m |
DDFJ in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +9.0% 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 1.9% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 6.5% 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: 15.0% of the 15.0% 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.
GDEC in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +12.1% 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 2.5% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 8.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 12.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. 88 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Dec 18, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDFJ or GDEC?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DDFJ can gain about 1.9% before its cap and GDEC about 2.5%, so GDEC has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDFJ or GDEC?
- DDFJ ends its outcome period on Dec 31, 2026 and GDEC on Dec 18, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDFJ or GDEC?
- DDFJ charges 0.79% a year and GDEC charges 0.85%, so DDFJ 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, DDFJ against GDEC, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddfj-vs-gdec Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.