Data as of .
GJUL vs ZAUG: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 GJUL can fall 3.3% before its buffer engages and ZAUG 1.0%, and GJUL resets 15 days sooner.
These are two different products. ZAUG is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. GJUL 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
GJUL resets first, on Jul 16, 2027, 298 days from now; ZAUG runs to Jul 31, 2027, 313 days. GJUL can still gain 10.2% before its cap, ZAUG 7.3%. A fall from here reaches GJUL’s buffer after 3.3% and ZAUG’s after 1.0%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJUL | ZAUG | GJUL | ZAUG | |
| 3 months | +2.5% | +1.4% | +0.2 pts | −0.9 pts |
| 6 months | +9.3% | +4.7% | −8.7 pts | −13.4 pts |
| 1 year | +10.0% | +5.6% | −6.5 pts | −10.9 pts |
| 3 years | +45.5% | not published | −32.9 pts | not published |
| GJUL FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - July Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 13.8%, over a period ending Jul 16, 2027 | ZAUG Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 8.4%, over a period ending Jul 31, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | Innovator |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 15% | 100% |
| Outcome period | Jul 20, 2026 to Jul 16, 2027 | Jul 31, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 |
| Days left | 298 | 313 |
| Starting cap | +13.8% | +8.4% |
| Can still gain | 10.2% | 7.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 3.3% | 1.0% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 100.0% of 100.0% |
| Index return this period | +4.1% | +3.6% |
| Fund return this period | +2.5% | +0.9% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $414m | $163m |
GJUL in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 10.2% 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 3.9% from today's level to the point where the buffer begins. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level. 298 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jul 16, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
ZAUG in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 7.3% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.0% 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. 313 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Jul 31, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, GJUL or ZAUG?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, GJUL can gain about 10.2% before its cap and ZAUG about 7.3%, so GJUL has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, GJUL or ZAUG?
- GJUL ends its outcome period on Jul 16, 2027 and ZAUG on Jul 31, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, GJUL or ZAUG?
- GJUL charges 0.85% a year and ZAUG charges 0.79%, so ZAUG 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, GJUL against ZAUG, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/gjul-vs-zaug Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.