Data as of .
QBUF vs QSPT: which one stands where?
As of Sep 21, 2026 QSPT can fall 2.3% before its buffer engages and QBUF 1.2%, and QBUF resets 352 days sooner.
ETFIQ Downside Cover Score: QBUF 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
They do not reset together. QBUF has 9 days of its period left and QSPT has 361, so the two are not the same bet on the same months.
Where each one stands today
QBUF resets first, on Sep 30, 2026, 9 days from now; QSPT runs to Sep 17, 2027, 361 days. QBUF can still gain 4.7% before its cap, QSPT 19.3%. A fall from here reaches QBUF’s buffer after 1.2% 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QBUF | QSPT | QBUF | QSPT | |
| 3 months | 0.0% | +3.7% | +2.5 pts | +6.2 pts |
| 6 months | +5.8% | +17.5% | −18.5 pts | −6.8 pts |
| 1 year | +7.3% | +16.7% | −14.5 pts | −5.1 pts |
| 3 years | not published | +63.3% | not published | −34.9 pts |
| 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 | 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 | Innovator | First Trust |
| Reference index | QQQ | QQQ |
| Buffer | 10% | 10% |
| Outcome period | Jun 30, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 to Sep 17, 2027 |
| Days left | 9 | 361 |
| Starting cap | +6.0% | +21.9% |
| Can still gain | 4.7% | 19.3% |
| Fall before buffer | 1.2% | 2.3% |
| Protection left, index points | 10.0% of 10.0% | 10.0% of 10.0% |
| Index return this period | +0.6% | +2.6% |
| Fund return this period | +1.1% | +1.4% |
| State today | Open | Open |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.90% |
| Net assets | $170m | $1.3bn |
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. In index terms, QQQ can fall 0.6% 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. 9 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 30, 2026 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. 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. 361 days remained on Sep 21, 2026. On Sep 17, 2027 the period ends and a new cap is set.
Questions people ask
- Which has more room to gain, QBUF or QSPT?
- From their prices on Sep 21, 2026, QBUF can gain about 4.7% before its cap and QSPT about 19.3%, so QSPT has more room left this period.
- Which resets first, QBUF or QSPT?
- QBUF ends its outcome period on Sep 30, 2026 and QSPT on Sep 17, 2027. A new cap is set the day after each.
- Which is cheaper, QBUF or QSPT?
- QBUF charges 0.79% a year and QSPT charges 0.90%, so QBUF 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, QBUF against QSPT, data as of Sep 21, 2026. https://etfiq.com/compare/buffer/qbuf-vs-qspt Free to use with attribution; the underlying files are at Open data.