Data as of .
DMAR vs ZAPR: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DMAR can fall 12.9% before its buffer engages and ZAPR 3.8%, and DMAR resets 12 days sooner.
These are two different products. ZAPR is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DMAR 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
DMAR resets first, on Mar 19, 2027, 179 days from now; ZAPR runs to Mar 31, 2027, 191 days. DMAR can still gain 3.8% before its cap, ZAPR 3.2%. A fall from here reaches DMAR’s buffer after 12.9% and ZAPR’s after 3.8%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMAR | ZAPR | DMAR | ZAPR | |
| 3 months | +2.0% | +1.4% | −0.2 pts | −0.8 pts |
| 6 months | +7.7% | +3.7% | −10.3 pts | −14.3 pts |
| 1 year | +12.1% | +6.1% | −4.5 pts | −10.4 pts |
| 3 years | +39.9% | not published | −38.5 pts | not published |
| DMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - March Absorbs losses from 5.0% to 30.0% on SPY and caps the gain at 13.1%, over a period ending Mar 19, 2027 | ZAPR Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr April Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 7.3%, over a period ending Mar 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 5% to 30% | 100% |
| Outcome period | Mar 23, 2026 to Mar 19, 2027 | Mar 31, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 179 | 191 |
| Starting cap | +13.1% | +7.3% |
| Can still gain | 3.8% | 3.2% |
| Fall before buffer | 12.9% | 3.8% |
| Protection left, index points | 25.0% of 25.0% | 100.0% of 100.0% |
| Index return this period | +19.3% | +19.0% |
| Fund return this period | +8.1% | +3.6% |
| State today | At cap | At cap |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $466m | $67m |
DMAR in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +13.1% 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 3.8% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 12.9% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 20.4% 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. 179 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Mar 19, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
ZAPR in plain words
SPY had already risen past this fund's cap of +7.3% 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 3.2% as the period runs out. The fund's price can fall 3.8% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, SPY can fall 16.0% 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. 191 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Mar 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DMAR or ZAPR?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DMAR can gain about 3.8% before its cap and ZAPR about 3.2%, so DMAR has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DMAR or ZAPR?
- DMAR ends its outcome period on Mar 19, 2027 and ZAPR on Mar 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DMAR or ZAPR?
- DMAR charges 0.85% a year and ZAPR charges 0.79%, so ZAPR 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, DMAR against ZAPR, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/dmar-vs-zapr Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.