Which has more room to gain, DDSQ or JAJL?

From their prices on Oct 1, 2026, DDSQ can gain about 3.5% before its cap and JAJL about 2.7%, so DDSQ has more room left this period.

Which resets first, DDSQ or JAJL?

DDSQ ends its outcome period on Dec 31, 2026 and JAJL on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.

Which is cheaper, DDSQ or JAJL?

DDSQ charges 0.79% a year and JAJL charges 0.79%, so DDSQ is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.

Share on X Download as PDF Open live

DDSQ vs JAJL: which one stands where?

As of Oct 1, 2026 JAJL can fall 1.4% before its buffer engages and DDSQ 0.0%. Innovator Equity Dual Directional 5 Buffer ETF - Quarterly and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Jan/Jul.

0.0%

DDSQ can fall this far before its buffer

1.4%

JAJL can fall this far before its buffer

3.5%

DDSQ can still gain

2.7%

JAJL can still gain

DDSQBetween buffer and cap

DDSQ: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −5; cap +3.5%; Between buffer and cap.

JAJLFull floor

JAJL: reference +2.1% since period start, fund +1.2%; buffer Floor; cap +4.1%; Full floor.

These are two different products. JAJL is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDSQ 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

DDSQ resets first, on Dec 31, 2026, 92 days from now; JAJL runs to Dec 31, 2026, 92 days. DDSQ can still gain 3.5% before its cap, JAJL 2.7%. A fall from here reaches DDSQ’s buffer after 0.0% and JAJL’s after 1.4%. 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

	Total return		Gap to the reference
Window	DDSQ	JAJL	DDSQ	JAJL
3 months	+2.0%	+1.1%	−0.5 pts	−1.4 pts
6 months	+7.0%	+4.0%	−9.9 pts	−13.0 pts
1 year	not published	+5.6%	not published	−10.1 pts

DDSQ and JAJL over each window. Every figure is an ETFIQ calculation with distributions reinvested. Source: ETFIQ. Open the live comparison on ETFIQ →

On the same fields

DDSQ

Innovator Equity Dual Directional 5 Buffer ETF - Quarterly · Absorbs the first 5% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 3.5%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026

JAJL

Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Jan/Jul · Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 4.1%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026

Issuer Innovator Innovator

Reference index SPY SPY

Buffer 5% 100%

Outcome period Sep 30, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 Jun 30, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026

Days left 92 92

Starting cap +3.5% +4.1%

Can still gain 3.5% 2.7%

Fall before buffer 0.0% 1.4%

Protection left, index points 5.0% of 5.0% 100.0% of 100.0%

Index return this period 0.0% +2.1%

Fund return this period 0.0% +1.2%

State today Open Open

Expense ratio 0.79% 0.79%

Net assets $92m $301m

DDSQ and JAJL on the same fields, as of Oct 1, 2026. Source: ETFIQ.

DDSQ in plain words

From its price on Oct 1, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.5% more before it reaches its cap. Protection left, in index points: 5.0% of the 5.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 92 days remained on Oct 1, 2026. On Dec 31, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.

JAJL in plain words

From its price on Oct 1, 2026, the fund can gain about 2.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.4% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 2.1% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 100.0% of the 100.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.

Questions people ask

Which has more room to gain, DDSQ or JAJL?: From their prices on Oct 1, 2026, DDSQ can gain about 3.5% before its cap and JAJL about 2.7%, so DDSQ has more room left this period.
Which resets first, DDSQ or JAJL?: DDSQ ends its outcome period on Dec 31, 2026 and JAJL on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
Which is cheaper, DDSQ or JAJL?: DDSQ charges 0.79% a year and JAJL charges 0.79%, so DDSQ is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.

Other comparisons

DDSQ vs ZOCT DDSQ vs DDTJ DDSQ vs DDTO DDSQ vs DECM JAJL vs QBSV JAJL vs ZALT JAJL vs EALT JAJL vs JANP

SPY →DDSQ on its own →JAJL on its own →How every figure is computed →Standards and sources →

Where these figures came from

DDSQ and JAJL filings on SEC EDGAR ↗Innovator page for DDSQ ↗Innovator page for JAJL ↗

ETFIQ links to the documents behind every figure. It is not affiliated with any issuer, and a link is not an endorsement. A comparison is not a recommendation.

Cite this page

ETFIQ, DDSQ against JAJL, data as of Oct 1, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddsq-vs-jajl

Open data

Free to use with attribution. Every figure is calculated from a named public source; the method is at etfiq.com/methodology.