Data as of .
DDNQ vs NOCT: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 NOCT can fall 12.5% before its buffer engages and DDNQ 1.8%.
These are two different products. NOCT is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDNQ is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Both are Innovator funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
DDNQ resets first, on Sep 30, 2026, 9 days from now; NOCT runs to Sep 30, 2026, 9 days. DDNQ can still gain 5.5% before its cap, NOCT 0.1%. A fall from here reaches DDNQ’s buffer after 1.8% and NOCT’s after 12.5%. Both track QQQ, 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDNQ | NOCT | DDNQ | NOCT | |
| 3 months | +1.4% | +3.0% | +3.9 pts | +5.4 pts |
| 6 months | +7.4% | +13.6% | −16.9 pts | −10.7 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +13.5% | not published | −8.3 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +51.3% | not published | −46.9 pts |
| DDNQ Innovator Growth-100 Dual Directional 5 Buffer ETF - Quarterly Absorbs the first 5% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 7.5%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | NOCT Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - Oct Absorbs the first 15% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 14.3%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | Innovator |
| Reference index | QQQ | QQQ |
| Buffer | 5% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Jun 30, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 | Sep 30, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 9 | 9 |
| Starting cap | +7.5% | +14.3% |
| Can still gain | 5.5% | 0.1% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.8% | 12.5% |
| Protection left, index points | 5.0% of 5.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +0.6% | +23.4% |
| Fund return this period | +1.6% | +13.3% |
| State today | Open | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $25m | $228m |
DDNQ in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 5.5% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.8% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 0.6% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 5.0% of the 5.0% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level. 9 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
NOCT in plain words
QQQ had already risen past this fund's cap of +14.3% 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 0.1% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 12.5% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 18.9% 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 QQQ level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDNQ or NOCT?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DDNQ can gain about 5.5% before its cap and NOCT about 0.1%, so DDNQ has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDNQ or NOCT?
- DDNQ ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and NOCT on Sep 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDNQ or NOCT?
- DDNQ charges 0.79% a year and NOCT charges 0.79%, so DDNQ 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, DDNQ against NOCT, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddnq-vs-noct Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.