Data as of .
DDTZ vs FMAY: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 FMAY can fall 4.7% before its buffer engages and DDTZ 3.3%, and FMAY resets 10 days sooner.
These are two different products. FMAY is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DDTZ 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
FMAY resets first, on May 21, 2027, 242 days from now; DDTZ runs to May 31, 2027, 252 days. DDTZ can still gain 11.7% before its cap, FMAY 11.7%. A fall from here reaches DDTZ’s buffer after 3.3% and FMAY’s after 4.7%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDTZ | FMAY | DDTZ | FMAY | |
| 3 months | +2.1% | +2.0% | −0.2 pts | −0.3 pts |
| 6 months | not published | +8.8% | not published | −9.3 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +10.1% | not published | −6.5 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +46.4% | not published | −32.0 pts |
| DDTZ Innovator Equity Dual Directional 10 Buffer ETF - Jun Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 15.4%, over a period ending May 31, 2027 | FMAY FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 17.1%, over a period ending May 21, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 10% | 10% |
| Outcome period | May 31, 2026 to May 31, 2027 | May 18, 2026 to May 21, 2027 |
| Days left | 252 | 242 |
| Starting cap | +15.4% | +17.1% |
| Can still gain | 11.7% | 11.7% |
| Fall before buffer | 3.3% | 4.7% |
| Protection left, index points | 10.0% of 10.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +2.3% | +4.7% |
| Fund return this period | +3.1% | +4.1% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $32m | $1.5bn |
DDTZ in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 11.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 3.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 2.3% 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. 252 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On May 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
FMAY in plain words
The fund's price can fall 4.7% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 4.5% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. 242 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On May 21, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DDTZ or FMAY?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DDTZ can gain about 11.7% before its cap and FMAY about 11.7%, so FMAY has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DDTZ or FMAY?
- DDTZ ends its outcome period on May 31, 2027 and FMAY on May 21, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DDTZ or FMAY?
- DDTZ charges 0.79% a year and FMAY charges 0.85%, so DDTZ 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, DDTZ against FMAY, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/ddtz-vs-fmay Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.