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DDSQ vs XBJA: which one stands where?

As of Oct 1, 2026 XBJA can fall 8.4% before its buffer engages and DDSQ 0.0%. Innovator Equity Dual Directional 5 Buffer ETF - Quarterly and Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - Jan.

0.0%
DDSQ can fall this far before its buffer
8.4%
XBJA can fall this far before its buffer
3.5%
DDSQ can still gain
2.6%
XBJA 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.

XBJABetween buffer and cap
Between buffer and capXBJA: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +8.5%; buffer 0 to −9; cap +11.9%; Between buffer and cap.9 pts of buffer+11.8% gain captured−9.0% floor0% period start+11.9% capTODAY · SPY +11.8%Between buffer and capXBJA: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +8.5%; buffer 0 to −9; cap +11.9%; Between buffer and cap.9 pts+11.8% gained−9.0% floor0% start+11.9% capTODAY · SPY +11.8%

XBJA: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +8.5%; buffer 0 to −9; cap +11.9%; Between buffer and cap.

These are two different products. XBJA 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; XBJA runs to Dec 31, 2026, 92 days. DDSQ can still gain 3.5% before its cap, XBJA 2.6%. A fall from here reaches DDSQ’s buffer after 0.0% and XBJA’s after 8.4%. 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 returnGap to the reference
WindowDDSQXBJADDSQXBJA
3 months+2.0%+2.7%−0.5 pts+0.2 pts
6 months+7.0%+10.2%−9.9 pts−6.8 pts
1 yearnot published+10.9%not published−4.8 pts
3 yearsnot published+40.1%not published−44.9 pts

DDSQ and XBJA 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
XBJA
Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - Jan · Absorbs the first 9% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.9%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026
Issuer Innovator Innovator
Reference index SPY SPY
Buffer 5% 9%
Outcome period Sep 30, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 Dec 31, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026
Days left 92 92
Starting cap +3.5% +11.9%
Can still gain 3.5% 2.6%
Fall before buffer 0.0% 8.4%
Protection left, index points 5.0% of 5.0% 9.0% of 9.0%
Index return this period 0.0% +11.8%
Fund return this period 0.0% +8.5%
State today Open Open
Expense ratio 0.79% 0.79%
Net assets $92m $94m

DDSQ and XBJA 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.

XBJA in plain words

From its price on Oct 1, 2026, the fund can gain about 2.6% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 8.4% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 10.6% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 9.0% of the 9.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.

Questions people ask

Which has more room to gain, DDSQ or XBJA?
From their prices on Oct 1, 2026, DDSQ can gain about 3.5% before its cap and XBJA about 2.6%, so DDSQ has more room left this period.
Which resets first, DDSQ or XBJA?
DDSQ ends its outcome period on Dec 31, 2026 and XBJA on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
Which is cheaper, DDSQ or XBJA?
DDSQ charges 0.79% a year and XBJA charges 0.79%, so DDSQ is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
DDSQ vs UJANDDSQ vs XSEPDDSQ vs ZALTDDSQ vs ZJANXBJA vs PJANXBJA vs PQVXBJA vs PQXXBJA vs PQXV
SPY →DDSQ on its own →XBJA on its own →How every figure is computed →Standards and sources →
Where these figures came from
DDSQ and XBJA filings on SEC EDGAR ↗Innovator page for DDSQ ↗Innovator page for XBJA ↗

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

Open data

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