Data as of .
DECM vs JAJL: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DECM can fall 5.2% before its buffer engages and JAJL 1.6%, and DECM resets 13 days sooner.
These are two different products. JAJL is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DECM 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
DECM resets first, on Dec 18, 2026, 88 days from now; JAJL runs to Dec 31, 2026, 101 days. DECM can still gain 1.5% before its cap, JAJL 2.5%. A fall from here reaches DECM’s buffer after 5.2% and JAJL’s after 1.6%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DECM | JAJL | DECM | JAJL | |
| 3 months | +1.5% | +1.2% | −0.7 pts | −1.0 pts |
| 6 months | +5.0% | +4.0% | −13.1 pts | −14.0 pts |
| 1 year | +6.3% | +5.7% | −10.3 pts | −10.8 pts |
| DECM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - December Absorbs the first 51% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 7.0%, over a period ending Dec 18, 2026 | JAJL Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 6 Mo Jan/Jul Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 4.1%, over a period ending Dec 31, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 51% | 100% |
| Outcome period | Dec 22, 2025 to Dec 18, 2026 | Jun 30, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 |
| Days left | 88 | 101 |
| Starting cap | +7.0% | +4.1% |
| Can still gain | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| Fall before buffer | 5.2% | 1.6% |
| Protection left, index points | 50.6% of 50.6% | 100.0% of 100.0% |
| Index return this period | +13.7% | +3.6% |
| Fund return this period | +4.6% | +1.4% |
| State today | At cap | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $36m | $298m |
DECM in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +7.0% for the period on Sep 21, 2026, so in index terms there is no more upside to collect. The fund's own price can still drift up to about 1.5% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 5.2% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 12.0% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 50.6% of the 50.6% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 88 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Dec 18, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
JAJL in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 2.5% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.6% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 3.5% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 100.0% of the 100.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 101 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Dec 31, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DECM or JAJL?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DECM can gain about 1.5% before its cap and JAJL about 2.5%, so JAJL has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DECM or JAJL?
- DECM ends its outcome period on Dec 18, 2026 and JAJL on Dec 31, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DECM or JAJL?
- DECM charges 0.85% a year and JAJL charges 0.79%, so JAJL 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, DECM against JAJL, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/decm-vs-jajl Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.