Data as of .
QBQF vs QBUF: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 QBQF can fall 1.3% before its buffer engages and QBUF 1.2%, and QBUF resets 1 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: QBQF scores higher
If the market falls into a bear market from here, how much does the buffer absorb?
A percentile among the 293 buffer ETFs with a live outcome period. It is a position in a set, not a rating, and neither end of it is a recommendation. All buffer ETFs ranked by it · How it is computed
Where each one stands today
QBUF resets first, on Sep 30, 2026, 9 days from now; QBQF runs to Sep 30, 2026, 10 days. QBQF can still gain 3.0% before its cap, QBUF 4.7%. A fall from here reaches QBQF’s buffer after 1.3% and QBUF’s after 1.2%. 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QBQF | QBUF | QBQF | QBUF | |
| 3 months | 0.0% | 0.0% | +2.4 pts | +2.5 pts |
| 6 months | not published | +5.8% | not published | −18.5 pts |
| 1 year | not published | +7.3% | not published | −14.5 pts |
| QBQF AllianzIM Growth-100 Buffer15 ETF - Jan Absorbs the first 15% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 4.3%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100® 10 Buffer ETF™ - Quarterly Absorbs the first 10% of loss on QQQ and caps the gain at 6.0%, over a period ending Sep 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | AllianzIM | Innovator |
| Reference index | QQQ | QQQ |
| Buffer | 15% | 10% |
| Outcome period | Jul 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 | Jun 30, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 |
| Days left | 10 | 9 |
| Starting cap | +4.3% | +6.0% |
| Can still gain | 3.0% | 4.7% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.3% | 1.2% |
| Protection left, index points | 15.0% of 15.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +0.6% | +0.6% |
| Fund return this period | +1.1% | +1.1% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.74% | 0.79% |
| Net assets | $10m | $170m |
QBQF in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 3.0% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.3% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. In index terms, QQQ can fall 0.6% 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 QQQ level. 10 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 the period ends and a new cap is set.
QBUF in plain words
From its price on Sep 21, 2026, the fund can gain about 4.7% more before it reaches its cap. The fund's price can fall 1.2% from here before the buffer starts absorbing losses, by the issuer's figure. Protection left, in index points: 10.0% of the 10.0% buffer still sits below today's QQQ level. 9 days remained on Sep 21, 2026.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, QBQF or QBUF?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, QBQF can gain about 3.0% before its cap and QBUF about 4.7%, so QBUF has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, QBQF or QBUF?
- QBQF ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and QBUF on Sep 30, 2026. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, QBQF or QBUF?
- QBQF charges 0.74% a year and QBUF charges 0.79%, so QBQF 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, QBQF against QBUF, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/qbqf-vs-qbuf Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.