Data as of .
DECW vs DLNV: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DLNV can fall 11.0% before its buffer engages and DECW 8.5%, and DLNV resets 11 days sooner.
These are two different products. DLNV is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DECW 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
DLNV resets first, on Nov 20, 2026, 60 days from now; DECW runs to Nov 30, 2026, 71 days. DECW can still gain 1.9% before its cap, DLNV 1.5%. A fall from here reaches DECW’s buffer after 8.5% and DLNV’s after 11.0%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DECW | DLNV | DECW | DLNV | |
| 3 months | +2.4% | +2.5% | +0.1 pts | +0.2 pts |
| 6 months | +9.3% | +10.6% | −8.7 pts | −7.4 pts |
| 1 year | +11.0% | not published | −5.6 pts | not published |
| 3 years | +36.4% | not published | −42.0 pts | not published |
| DECW AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer20 ETF - Dec Absorbs the first 20% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.3%, over a period ending Nov 30, 2026 | DLNV FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - November Absorbs the first 10% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 14.0%, over a period ending Nov 20, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | AllianzIM | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 20% | 10% |
| Outcome period | Dec 1, 2025 to Nov 30, 2026 | Nov 24, 2025 to Nov 20, 2026 |
| Days left | 71 | 60 |
| Starting cap | +11.3% | +14.0% |
| Can still gain | 1.9% | 1.5% |
| Fall before buffer | 8.5% | 11.0% |
| Protection left, index points | 20.0% of 20.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +13.3% | +17.4% |
| Fund return this period | +8.4% | +11.5% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.74% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $228m | $20m |
DECW in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +11.3% 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 1.9% as the period runs out. 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 11.7% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 20.0% of the 20.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 71 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Nov 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
DLNV in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +14.0% 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 11.0% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 14.8% 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. 60 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Nov 20, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DECW or DLNV?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DECW can gain about 1.9% before its cap and DLNV about 1.5%, so DECW has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DECW or DLNV?
- DECW ends its outcome period on Nov 30, 2026 and DLNV on Nov 20, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DECW or DLNV?
- DECW charges 0.74% a year and DLNV charges 0.85%, so DECW 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, DECW against DLNV, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/decw-vs-dlnv Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.