Data as of .
DDNQ vs QBUF: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 DDNQ can fall 1.3% before its buffer engages and QBUF 0.0%.
These are two different products. QBUF 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, 12 days from now; QBUF runs to Sep 30, 2026, 12 days. DDNQ can still gain 6.0% before its cap, QBUF 6.0%. A fall from here reaches DDNQ’s buffer after 1.3% and QBUF’s after 0.0%. 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 | QBUF | DDNQ | QBUF | |
| 3 months | +1.4% | 0.0% | +3.9 pts | +2.5 pts |
| 6 months | +7.4% | +5.8% | −16.9 pts | −18.5 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +7.3% | not published | −14.5 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 | QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100® 10 Buffer ETF™ - Quarterly Absorbs the first 10% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 6.0%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | Innovator |
| Reference index | QQQ | QQQ |
| Buffer | 5% | 10% |
| Outcome period | Jun 30, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 | Jun 30, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 12 | 12 |
| Starting cap | +7.5% | +6.0% |
| Can still gain | 6.0% | 6.0% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.3% | 0.0% |
| Protection left, index points | 3.0% of 5.0% | 8.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | −2.0% | −2.0% |
| Fund return this period | +1.2% | −0.1% |
| State today | Buffer working | Buffer working |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $25m | $170m |
DDNQ in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 6.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 0.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 3.0% of the 5.0% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level. 12 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
QBUF in plain words
The fund's price can fall 0.0% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. Protection left, in index points: 8.0% of the 10.0% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDNQ or QBUF?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, DDNQ can gain about 6.0% before its cap and QBUF about 6.0%, so DDNQ has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDNQ or QBUF?
- DDNQ ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and QBUF on Sep 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDNQ or QBUF?
- DDNQ charges 0.79% a year and QBUF 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 QBUF, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddnq-vs-qbuf Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.