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DDSQ vs SIXJ: which one stands where?

As of Oct 1, 2026 SIXJ can fall 2.5% before its buffer engages and DDSQ 0.0%. Innovator Equity Dual Directional 5 Buffer ETF - Quarterly and AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer10 ETF - Jan.

0.0%
DDSQ can fall this far before its buffer
2.5%
SIXJ can fall this far before its buffer
3.5%
DDSQ can still gain
5.5%
SIXJ can still gain
DDSQBetween buffer and cap
Between buffer and capDDSQ: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −5; cap +3.5%; Between buffer and cap.5 pts of buffer+3.5% to cap−5.0% floor0% period start+3.5% capTODAY · SPY 0.0%Between buffer and capDDSQ: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −5; cap +3.5%; Between buffer and cap.5 pts−5.0% floor0% start+3.5% capTODAY · SPY 0.0%

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

SIXJBetween buffer and cap
Between buffer and capSIXJ: reference +2.1% since period start, fund +2.2%; buffer 0 to −10; cap +8.2%; Between buffer and cap.10 pts of buffer+2.1%+6% more to the cap−10.0% floor0% period start+8.2% capTODAY · SPY +2.1%Between buffer and capSIXJ: reference +2.1% since period start, fund +2.2%; buffer 0 to −10; cap +8.2%; Between buffer and cap.10 pts−10.0% floor0% start+8.2% capTODAY · SPY +2.1%

SIXJ: reference +2.1% since period start, fund +2.2%; buffer 0 to −10; cap +8.2%; Between buffer and cap.

These are two different products. SIXJ 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.

Where each one stands today

DDSQ resets first, on Dec 31, 2026, 92 days from now; SIXJ runs to Dec 31, 2026, 92 days. DDSQ can still gain 3.5% before its cap, SIXJ 5.5%. A fall from here reaches DDSQ’s buffer after 0.0% and SIXJ’s after 2.5%. 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 returnGap to the reference
WindowDDSQSIXJDDSQSIXJ
3 months+2.0%+2.3%−0.5 pts−0.2 pts
6 months+7.0%+10.4%−9.9 pts−6.6 pts
1 yearnot published+11.9%not published−3.8 pts
3 yearsnot published+52.0%not published−33.0 pts

DDSQ and SIXJ 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
SIXJ
AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer10 ETF - Jan · Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 8.2%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026
Issuer Innovator AllianzIM
Reference index SPY SPY
Buffer 5% 10%
Outcome period Sep 30, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 Jul 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026
Days left 92 92
Starting cap +3.5% +8.2%
Can still gain 3.5% 5.5%
Fall before buffer 0.0% 2.5%
Protection left, index points 5.0% of 5.0% 10.0% of 10.0%
Index return this period 0.0% +2.1%
Fund return this period 0.0% +2.2%
State today Open Open
Expense ratio 0.79% 0.74%
Net assets $92m $152m

DDSQ and SIXJ 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.

SIXJ in plain words

From its price on Oct 1, 2026, the fund can gain about 5.5% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 2.5% 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: 10.0% of the 10.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.

Questions people ask

Which has more room to gain, DDSQ or SIXJ?
From their prices on Oct 1, 2026, DDSQ can gain about 3.5% before its cap and SIXJ about 5.5%, so SIXJ has more room left this period.
Which resets first, DDSQ or SIXJ?
DDSQ ends its outcome period on Dec 31, 2026 and SIXJ on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
Which is cheaper, DDSQ or SIXJ?
DDSQ charges 0.79% a year and SIXJ charges 0.74%, so SIXJ is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
DDSQ vs GSEPDDSQ vs JAJLDDSQ vs JANPDDSQ vs JANTSIXJ vs PQVSIXJ vs PQXSIXJ vs PQXVSIXJ vs PQXX
SPY →DDSQ on its own →SIXJ on its own →How every figure is computed →Standards and sources →
Where these figures came from
DDSQ filings on SEC EDGAR ↗Innovator page for DDSQ ↗SIXJ filings on SEC EDGAR ↗AllianzIM page for SIXJ ↗

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 SIXJ, data as of Oct 1, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddsq-vs-sixj

Open data

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