Data as of .
DDTM vs DFEB: which one stands where?
As of Sep 19, 2026 DFEB can fall 11.3% before its buffer engages and DDTM 7.5%, and DFEB resets 9 days sooner.
These are two different products. DFEB is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDTM 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
DFEB resets first, on Feb 19, 2027, 154 days from now; DDTM runs to Feb 28, 2027, 163 days. DDTM can still gain 5.2% before its cap, DFEB 4.5%. A fall from here reaches DDTM’s buffer after 7.5% and DFEB’s after 11.3%. 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
| Window | Total return | Gap to the reference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDTM | DFEB | DDTM | DFEB | |
| 3 months | +2.3% | +2.2% | 0.0 pts | −0.1 pts |
| 6 months | +10.6% | +9.1% | −7.4 pts | −8.9 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +11.2% | not published | −5.4 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +44.8% | not published | −33.6 pts |
| DDTM Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - Mar Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.7%, over a period ending Feb 28, 2027 | DFEB FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - February Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 30.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 11.9%, over a period ending Feb 19, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 10% | 5% to 30% |
| Outcome period | Feb 28, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Feb 23, 2026 to Feb 19, 2027 |
| Days left | 163 | 154 |
| Starting cap | +13.7% | +11.9% |
| Can still gain | 5.2% | 4.5% |
| Fall before buffer | 7.5% | 11.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 10.0% of 10.0% | 25.0% of 25.0% |
| Index return this period | +11.0% | +10.5% |
| Fund return this period | +7.6% | +6.2% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $13m | $447m |
DDTM in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 5.2% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 7.5% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 9.9% 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. 163 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Feb 28, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
DFEB in plain words
From its price on Sep 19, 2026, the fund can gain about 4.5% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 11.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 14.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 25.0% of the 25.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 154 days remained on Sep 19, 2026. On Feb 19, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDTM or DFEB?
- From their prices on Sep 19, 2026, DDTM can gain about 5.2% before its cap and DFEB about 4.5%, so DDTM has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDTM or DFEB?
- DDTM ends its outcome period on Feb 28, 2027 and DFEB on Feb 19, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDTM or DFEB?
- DDTM charges 0.79% a year and DFEB charges 0.85%, so DDTM 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, DDTM against DFEB, data as of Sep 19, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddtm-vs-dfeb Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.