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DDTJ vs QBSF: which one stands where?

As of Oct 1, 2026 DDTJ can fall 8.5% before its buffer engages and QBSF 0.2%. Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - Jan and AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 ETF - Jan.

8.5%
DDTJ can fall this far before its buffer
0.2%
QBSF can fall this far before its buffer
3.3%
DDTJ can still gain
2.7%
QBSF can still gain
DDTJBetween buffer and cap
Between buffer and capDDTJ: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +8.6%; buffer 0 to −10; cap +12.8%; Between buffer and cap.10 pts of buffer+11.8% gain captured−10.0% floor0% period start+12.8% capTODAY · SPY +11.8%Between buffer and capDDTJ: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +8.6%; buffer 0 to −10; cap +12.8%; Between buffer and cap.10 pts+11.8%−10.0% floor0% start+12.8% capTODAY · SPY +11.8%

DDTJ: reference +11.8% since period start, fund +8.6%; buffer 0 to −10; cap +12.8%; Between buffer and cap.

QBSFBetween buffer and cap
Between buffer and capQBSF: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +2.9%; Between buffer and cap.15 pts of buffer−15.0% floor0% period start+2.9% capTODAY · SPY 0.0%Between buffer and capQBSF: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +2.9%; Between buffer and cap.15 pts of buffer−15.0% floor0% start+2.9% capTODAY · SPY 0.0%

QBSF: reference 0.0% since period start, fund 0.0%; buffer 0 to −15; cap +2.9%; Between buffer and cap.

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

DDTJ resets first, on Dec 31, 2026, 92 days from now; QBSF runs to Dec 31, 2026, 92 days. DDTJ can still gain 3.3% before its cap, QBSF 2.7%. A fall from here reaches DDTJ’s buffer after 8.5% and QBSF’s after 0.2%. 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
WindowDDTJQBSFDDTJQBSF
3 months+2.7%+1.9%+0.2 pts−0.6 pts
6 months+10.4%+4.8%−6.5 pts−12.2 pts
1 yearnot published+7.2%not published−8.5 pts

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

On the same fields

DDTJ
Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - Jan · Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 12.8%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026
QBSF
AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 ETF - Jan · Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 2.9%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026
Issuer Innovator AllianzIM
Reference index SPY SPY
Buffer 10% 15%
Outcome period Dec 31, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026 Oct 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026
Days left 92 92
Starting cap +12.8% +2.9%
Can still gain 3.3% 2.7%
Fall before buffer 8.5% 0.2%
Protection left, index points 10.0% of 10.0% 15.0% of 15.0%
Index return this period +11.8% 0.0%
Fund return this period +8.6% 0.0%
State today Open Open
Expense ratio 0.79% 0.64%
Net assets $18m $62m

DDTJ and QBSF on the same fields, as of Oct 1, 2026. Source: ETFIQ.

DDTJ in plain words

From its price on Oct 1, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.3% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 8.5% 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: 10.0% of the 10.0% 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.

QBSF 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 0.2% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 0.0% 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 SPY level.

Questions people ask

Which has more room to gain, DDTJ or QBSF?
From their prices on Oct 1, 2026, DDTJ can gain about 3.3% before its cap and QBSF about 2.7%, so DDTJ has more room left this period.
Which resets first, DDTJ or QBSF?
DDTJ ends its outcome period on Dec 31, 2026 and QBSF on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
Which is cheaper, DDTJ or QBSF?
DDTJ charges 0.79% a year and QBSF charges 0.64%, so QBSF is cheaper. Fees come from each fund's prospectus.
Other comparisons
DDTJ vs DDSQDDTJ vs DECMDDTJ vs EALTDDTJ vs FDECQBSF vs PMOCQBSF vs POCTQBSF vs QBSVQBSF vs SEPM
SPY →DDTJ on its own →QBSF on its own →How every figure is computed →Standards and sources →
Where these figures came from
DDTJ filings on SEC EDGAR ↗Innovator page for DDTJ ↗QBSF filings on SEC EDGAR ↗AllianzIM page for QBSF ↗

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, DDTJ against QBSF, data as of Oct 1, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddtj-vs-qbsf

Open data

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