Data as of .
DDFY vs FAPR: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 FAPR can fall 6.6% before its buffer engages and DDFY 4.3%, and FAPR resets 14 days sooner.
These are two different products. FAPR is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDFY 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
FAPR resets first, on Apr 16, 2027, 207 days from now; DDFY runs to Apr 30, 2027, 221 days. DDFY can still gain 5.7% before its cap, FAPR 7.7%. A fall from here reaches DDFY’s buffer after 4.3% and FAPR’s after 6.6%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDFY | FAPR | DDFY | FAPR | |
| 3 months | +1.9% | +2.2% | −0.3 pts | 0.0 pts |
| 6 months | not published | +7.1% | not published | −10.9 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +10.0% | not published | −6.6 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +44.4% | not published | −34.0 pts |
| DDFY Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - May Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 10.5%, over a period ending Apr 30, 2027 | FAPR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 15.2%, over a period ending Apr 16, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 10% |
| Outcome period | Apr 30, 2026 to Apr 30, 2027 | Apr 20, 2026 to Apr 16, 2027 |
| Days left | 221 | 207 |
| Starting cap | +10.5% | +15.2% |
| Can still gain | 5.7% | 7.7% |
| Fall before buffer | 4.3% | 6.6% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +7.7% | +9.0% |
| Fund return this period | +4.2% | +6.2% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $76m | $1.3bn |
DDFY in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 5.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 4.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 7.1% 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. 221 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Apr 30, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
FAPR in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 7.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 6.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 8.2% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 10.0% of the 10.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 207 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Apr 16, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDFY or FAPR?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DDFY can gain about 5.7% before its cap and FAPR about 7.7%, so FAPR has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDFY or FAPR?
- DDFY ends its outcome period on Apr 30, 2027 and FAPR on Apr 16, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDFY or FAPR?
- DDFY charges 0.79% a year and FAPR charges 0.85%, so DDFY 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, DDFY against FAPR, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddfy-vs-fapr Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.