Data as of .
DDFS vs XAUG: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 XAUG can fall 1.1% before its buffer engages and DDFS 0.1%, and XAUG resets 11 days sooner.
These are two different products. XAUG 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
XAUG 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, XAUG 10.0%. A fall from here reaches DDFS’s buffer after 0.1% and XAUG’s after 1.1%. 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
| Window | Total return | Gap to the reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDFS | XAUG | DDFS | XAUG | |
| 3 months | +1.3% | +1.4% | −0.9 pts | −0.9 pts |
| 6 months | +5.9% | +7.0% | −12.2 pts | −11.0 pts |
| 1 year | +7.0% | +7.9% | −9.6 pts | −8.7 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +31.6% | not published | −46.8 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 | XAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.1%, 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% | +11.1% |
| Can still gain | 10.3% | 10.0% |
| Fall before buffer | 0.1% | 1.1% |
| 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% | +0.3% |
| State today | Buffer working | Buffer working |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $101m | $26m |
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.
XAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 10.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.1% 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 XAUG?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, DDFS can gain about 10.3% before its cap and XAUG about 10.0%, so DDFS has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDFS or XAUG?
- DDFS ends its outcome period on Aug 31, 2027 and XAUG on Aug 20, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDFS or XAUG?
- DDFS charges 0.79% a year and XAUG 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 XAUG, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddfs-vs-xaug Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.