Data as of .
JULM vs XJUL: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 XJUL can fall 3.1% before its buffer engages and JULM 1.7%.
These are two different products. JULM is a floor fund, which caps how far a holder can fall. XJUL 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
JULM resets first, on Jul 16, 2027, 298 days from now; XJUL runs to Jul 16, 2027, 298 days. JULM can still gain 5.5% before its cap, XJUL 8.0%. A fall from here reaches JULM’s buffer after 1.7% and XJUL’s after 3.1%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULM | XJUL | JULM | XJUL | |
| 3 months | +1.0% | +2.3% | −1.3 pts | +0.1 pts |
| 6 months | +4.2% | +7.5% | −13.9 pts | −10.6 pts |
| 1 year | +5.3% | +8.6% | −11.3 pts | −8.0 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +35.3% | not published | −43.1 pts |
| JULM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - July Absorbs the whole loss on SPY and caps the gain at 7.3%, over a period ending Jul 16, 2027 | XJUL FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - July Absorbs the first 15% of loss on SPY and caps the gain at 11.4%, over a period ending Jul 16, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | First Trust | First Trust |
| Reference index | SPY | SPY |
| Buffer | 100% | 15% |
| Outcome period | Jul 20, 2026 to Jul 16, 2027 | Jul 20, 2026 to Jul 16, 2027 |
| Days left | 298 | 298 |
| Starting cap | +7.3% | +11.4% |
| Can still gain | 5.5% | 8.0% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.7% | 3.1% |
| Protection left, index points | 100.0% of 100.0% | 15.0% of 15.0% |
| Index return this period | +4.1% | +4.1% |
| Fund return this period | +0.9% | +2.4% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Net assets | $34m | $42m |
JULM in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 5.5% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.7% 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: 100.0% of the 100.0% 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.
XJUL in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 8.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 3.1% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. Protection left, in index points: 15.0% of the 15.0% buffer still sits below today's SPY level.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, JULM or XJUL?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, JULM can gain about 5.5% before its cap and XJUL about 8.0%, so XJUL has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, JULM or XJUL?
- JULM ends its outcome period on Jul 16, 2027 and XJUL on Jul 16, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, JULM or XJUL?
- JULM charges 0.85% a year and XJUL charges 0.85%, so JULM 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, JULM against XJUL, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/julm-vs-xjul Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.