Data as of .
DDFS vs GAUG: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 GAUG can fall 0.9% before its buffer engages and DDFS 0.1%, and GAUG resets 11 days sooner.
These are two different products. GAUG is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDFS 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
GAUG resets first, on Aug 20, 2027, 336 days from now; DDFS runs to Aug 31, 2027, 347 days. DDFS can still gain 10.3% before its cap, GAUG 12.9%. A fall from here reaches DDFS’s buffer after 0.1% and GAUG’s after 0.9%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDFS | GAUG | DDFS | GAUG | |
| 3 months | +1.3% | +1.7% | −0.9 pts | −0.5 pts |
| 6 months | +5.9% | +9.0% | −12.2 pts | −9.0 pts |
| 1 year | +7.0% | +9.3% | −9.6 pts | −7.3 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +39.6% | not published | −38.8 pts |
| DDFS Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - Sep Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 10.5%, over a period ending Aug 31, 2027 | GAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - August Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.8%, over a period ending Aug 20, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Aug 31, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027 | Aug 24, 2026 to Aug 20, 2027 |
| Days left | 347 | 336 |
| Starting cap | +10.5% | +13.8% |
| Can still gain | 10.3% | 12.9% |
| Fall before buffer | 0.1% | 0.9% |
| Protection left, index points | 14.3% of 15.0% | 14.5% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | −0.7% | −0.5% |
| Fund return this period | +0.1% | 0.0% |
| State today | Buffer working | Buffer working |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $101m | $416m |
DDFS in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 10.3% 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: 14.3% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 347 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Aug 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
GAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 12.9% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 0.9% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. Protection left, in index points: 14.5% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 336 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Aug 20, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDFS or GAUG?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, DDFS can gain about 10.3% before its cap and GAUG about 12.9%, so GAUG has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDFS or GAUG?
- DDFS ends its outcome period on Aug 31, 2027 and GAUG on Aug 20, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDFS or GAUG?
- DDFS charges 0.79% a year and GAUG charges 0.85%, so DDFS 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, DDFS against GAUG, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddfs-vs-gaug Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.