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DDFJ vs PQXX: which one stands where?

As of Oct 1, 2026 DDFJ can fall 6.4% before its buffer engages and PQXX 0.1%. Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - Jan and PGIM S&P 500 Quarterly Buffer 20 ETF.

6.4%
DDFJ can fall this far before its buffer
0.1%
PQXX can fall this far before its buffer
2.0%
DDFJ can still gain
2.4%
PQXX can still gain
DDFJAt its cap
At its capDDFJ: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +6.2%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +9.0%; At its cap.15 pts of buffer+9% gain captured−15.0% floor0% period start+9.0% capTODAY · SPY +11.8%At its capDDFJ: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +6.2%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +9.0%; At its cap.15 pts+9%−15.0% floor0% start+9.0% capTODAY · SPY +11.8%

DDFJ: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +6.2%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +9.0%; At its cap.

PQXXBetween buffer and cap
Between buffer and capPQXX: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −20; cap +2.5%; Between buffer and cap.20 pts of buffer−20.0% floor0% period start+2.5% capTODAY · SPY 0.0%Between buffer and capPQXX: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −20; cap +2.5%; Between buffer and cap.20 pts of buffer−20.0% floor0% start+2.5% capTODAY · SPY 0.0%

PQXX: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −20; cap +2.5%; Between buffer and cap.

These are two different products. PQXX 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.

DDFJ is already at its cap, so more rise in the index adds nothing to it before the period ends.

Where each one stands today

DDFJ resets first, on Dec 31, 2026, 92 days from now; PQXX runs to Dec 31, 2026, 92 days. DDFJ can still gain 2.0% before its cap, PQXX 2.4%. A fall from here reaches DDFJ’s buffer after 6.4% and PQXX’s after 0.1%. 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

Total returnGap to the reference
WindowDDFJPQXXDDFJPQXX
3 months+2.2%+2.4%−0.3 pts−0.1 pts
6 months+7.0%not published−10.0 ptsnot published

DDFJ and PQXX over each window. Every figure is an ETFIQ calculation with distributions reinvested. Source: ETFIQ. Open the live comparison on ETFIQ →

On the same fields

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
PQXX
PGIM S&P 500 Quarterly Buffer 20 ETF · Absorbs the first 20% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 2.5%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026
Issuer Innovator PGIM
Reference index SPY SPY
Buffer 15% 20%
Outcome period Dec 31, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026 Oct 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026
Days left 92 92
Starting cap +9.0% +2.5%
Can still gain 2.0% 2.4%
Fall before buffer 6.4% 0.1%
Protection left, index points 15.0% of 15.0% 20.0% of 20.0%
Index return this period +11.8% 0.0%
Fund return this period +6.2% 0.0%
State today At cap Open
Expense ratio 0.79% 0.50%
Net assets $75m $3m

DDFJ and PQXX on the same fields, as of Oct 1, 2026. Source: ETFIQ.

DDFJ in plain words

SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +9.0% for the period on Oct 1, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 2.0% as the period runs out. 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 10.6% 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. 92 days remained on Oct 1, 2026. On Dec 31, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.

PQXX in plain words

From its price on Oct 1, 2026, the fund can gain about 2.4% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 0.1% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 0.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 20.0% of the 20.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.

Questions people ask

Which has more room to gain, DDFJ or PQXX?
From their prices on Oct 1, 2026, DDFJ can gain about 2.0% before its cap and PQXX about 2.4%, so PQXX has more room left this period.
Which resets first, DDFJ or PQXX?
DDFJ ends its outcome period on Dec 31, 2026 and PQXX on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
Which is cheaper, DDFJ or PQXX?
DDFJ charges 0.79% a year and PQXX charges 0.50%, so PQXX is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
DDFJ vs PBJADDFJ vs PJANDDFJ vs PMJADDFJ vs PQVPQXX vs XBOCPQXX vs XSEPPQXX vs ZALTPQXX vs ZOCT
SPY →DDFJ on its own →PQXX on its own →How every figure is computed →Standards and sources →
Where these figures came from
DDFJ filings on SEC EDGAR ↗Innovator page for DDFJ ↗PQXX filings on SEC EDGAR ↗PGIM website ↗

ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement. A comparison is not a recommendation.

Cite this page

ETFIQ, DDFJ against PQXX, data as of Oct 1, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddfj-vs-pqxx

Open data

Free to use with attribution. Every figure is calculated from a named public source; the method is at etfiq.com/methodology.