Data as of .
DQSE vs QSPT: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 DQSE can fall 2.3% before its buffer engages and QSPT 2.3%.
These are two different products. QSPT is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. DQSE is a buffer fund, which absorbs the first part of a fall and leaves everything below it with the holder.
Both are First Trust funds, so the difference between them is the terms rather than the house.
Where each one stands today
DQSE resets first, on Sep 17, 2027, 361 days from now; QSPT runs to Sep 17, 2027, 361 days. DQSE can still gain 16.2% before its cap, QSPT 19.3%. A fall from here reaches DQSE’s buffer after 2.3% and QSPT’s after 2.3%. Both track QQQ, 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DQSE | QSPT | DQSE | QSPT | |
| 3 months | not published | +3.7% | not published | +6.2 pts |
| 6 months | not published | +17.5% | not published | −6.8 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +16.7% | not published | −5.1 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +63.3% | not published | −34.9 pts |
| DQSE FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Dual Directional Buffer ETF - September Absorbs the first 0% to 10% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 18.8%, over a period ending Sep 17, 2027 | QSPT FT Vest Nasdaq-100® Buffer ETF - September Absorbs the first 10% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 21.9%, over a period ending Sep 17, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | First Trust |
| Reference index | QQQ | QQQ |
| Buffer | 0% to 10% | 10% |
| Outcome period | Sep 21, 2026 to Sep 17, 2027 | Sep 21, 2026 to Sep 17, 2027 |
| Days left | 361 | 361 |
| Starting cap | +18.8% | +21.9% |
| Can still gain | 16.2% | 19.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 2.3% | 2.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 10.0% of 10.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +2.6% | +2.6% |
| Fund return this period | +1.4% | +1.4% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Net assets | $1m | $1.3bn |
DQSE in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 16.2% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 2.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 2.6% 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 QQQ level. 361 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 17, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
QSPT in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 19.3% more before it reaches its cap.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, DQSE or QSPT?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, DQSE can gain about 16.2% before its cap and QSPT about 19.3%, so QSPT has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, DQSE or QSPT?
- DQSE ends its outcome period on Sep 17, 2027 and QSPT on Sep 17, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, DQSE or QSPT?
- DQSE charges 0.90% a year and QSPT charges 0.90%, so DQSE 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, DQSE against QSPT, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/dqse-vs-qspt Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.