Daily Report

ETF Insights - February 26, 2026

Today's analysis: 23 near entry, 2 near acceleration, 51 near cap. Total 76 signals.

Eric Cerrone

— 33 min read
Share
HARBORSIDE - Buffered ETF Insights - February 26, 2026
Harborside Capital
HARBORSIDE
CAPITAL

Buffered ETF Insights

Independent Analysis • Not Affiliated with Innovator ETFs or Goldman Sachs

February 26, 2026

Understanding Key Metrics

Cap Yield (Annualized)

The remaining upside potential converted to an annual percentage, for comparison to TBILLs.

Approaching Cap - Index Below

Limited upside potential remaining and as ETF gets closer to reset it will be very sensitive to downside moves.

Approaching Cap - Index Above

ETFs where the cap has been reached (≥90%) and the index is above the cap level, providing a downside cushion.

Probability

The statistical likelihood the index will be above the ETF's cap at expiry. Calculated using Implied Volatility.

Priority Color Coding
Green Border Best entry opportunity
Yellow Border Monitor for entry
Red Border Future exit/roll alerts
272
ETFs ANALYZED
23
NEAR ENTRY
2
NEAR ACCELERATION
51
NEAR CAP
Filter by Provider:

🎯 Near Starting Point - Prime Entry Opportunities

ETFs trading within optimal entry range centered around fee-adjusted starting levels

Qualification Criteria:
Annual Buffered ETFs:
  • Optimal: Fund Return between -1.29% and -0.29%
    (Centered around -0.79% fee breakeven point)
  • Good: Fund Return between -2.0% to -1.30% or -0.28% to +1.0%
    (Extended downside and upside ranges)
Quarterly Buffered ETFs:
  • Optimal: Fund Return between -0.45% and +0.05%
    (Centered around -0.20% quarterly fee breakeven point)
  • Good: Fund Return between -0.70% to -0.46% or +0.06% to +0.30%
    (Extended downside and upside ranges)
*Ranges centered around fee breakeven for optimal entry timing*
Days:
Remaining Cap:
INNV NNOV   QQQ 15% Buffer Annual ~15.54% Cap 247 Days
FT QCJA   QQQ 25% Ultra Buffer ~11.75% Cap 323 Days
FT DHDG   SPY 25% Ultra Buffer ~3.54% Cap 50 Days
INNV NDEC   QQQ 15% Buffer Annual ~14.48% Cap 277 Days
FT DECM   SPY 25% Ultra Buffer ~5.36% Cap 295 Days
FT QDEC   QQQ 10% Buffer Annual ~17.51% Cap 295 Days
ALIM JANW   SPY 20% Buffer Annual ~8.70% Cap 307 Days
ALIM JANT   SPY 10% Buffer Annual ~13.84% Cap 307 Days
INNV NJAN   QQQ 15% Buffer Annual ~14.03% Cap 308 Days
INNV PJAN   SPY 15% Buffer Annual ~10.61% Cap 308 Days
INNV UJAN   SPY 30% Ultra Buffer ~9.77% Cap 308 Days
INNV BJAN   SPY 9% Buffer Annual ~14.64% Cap 308 Days
FT DJAN   SPY 25% Ultra Buffer ~10.77% Cap 323 Days
FT JANM   SPY 50% Ultra Buffer ~5.97% Cap 323 Days
FT FJAN   SPY 10% Buffer Annual ~13.87% Cap 323 Days
FT GJAN   SPY 10% Buffer Annual ~10.95% Cap 323 Days

🛡 100% Principal Protection

Principal-protected ETFs trading near their starting levels

Qualification Criteria:
100% Downside Protection ETFs (Annual/Bi-Annual):
  • Optimal: Fund Return -1% to +0.25%
  • Good: Fund Return between +0.26% and +0.5%
100% Downside Protection ETFs (6-Month):
  • Optimal: Fund Return -0.50% to +0.25%
  • Good: Fund Return between +0.26% and +0.50%
*Watch for negative fund return which allows for extra yield compensating for fund fee*
Days:
Remaining Cap:
ALIM AIOO   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 32 Days

🔄 Dual Direction Entry - Profit From Either Direction

Dual-direction ETFs positioned for gains in rising OR falling markets

Qualification Criteria:
Annual Dual Directional Buffered ETFs:
  • Optimal: Fund Return between -1.29% and -0.29%
    (Centered around -0.79% fee breakeven point)
  • Good: Fund Return between -2.0% to -1.30% or -0.28% to +1.0%
    (Extended downside and upside ranges)
Quarterly Dual Directional Buffered ETFs:
  • Optimal: Fund Return between -0.45% and +0.05%
    (Centered around -0.20% quarterly fee breakeven point)
  • Good: Fund Return between -0.70% to -0.46% or +0.06% to +0.30%
    (Extended downside and upside ranges)
*Dual directional buffered ETFs profit from market moves in EITHER direction*
Days:
Remaining Cap:
INNV DDTJ   SPY Dual Direction 10% ~10.89% Cap 308 Days
INNV DDFJ   SPY Dual Direction 15% ~7.20% Cap 308 Days

🚀 Acceleration Zone - Enhanced Returns Available

ETFs with accelerated participation (2x or 3x) in positive index moves

Qualification Criteria:
Near Starting Point (Entry Signal):
• Fund Return between -1.5% and +0.5%
• Provides 2x or 3x acceleration on positive moves
Near Threshold (Monitor Signal):
• Index from (threshold - 1%) up to 85% of maximum cap
• Enhanced returns active - approaching cap trigger
Near Cap (Exit Signal):
• Index ≥ 85% of maximum cap
• Maximum cap likely to be achieved at reset
*Leveraged participation with no downside buffer protection*
4
NEAR START
2
NEAR THRESHOLD
5
NEAR CAP
INNV XDQQ   QQQ Accelerated ~7.75% Cap 33 Days
INNV QTJA   QQQ Accelerated ~18.92% Cap 308 Days
INNV XBJA   SPY Accelerated ~10.15% Cap 308 Days
FT XJAN   SPY Enhanced 2x Annual ~8.97% Cap 323 Days

NEAR THRESHOLD

FT XSEP   SPY Enhanced 2x Annual ~5.70% Cap 204 Days
FT XNOV   SPY Enhanced 2x Annual ~6.88% Cap 267 Days

NEAR MAXIMUM CAP

FT XMAR   SPY Enhanced 2x Quarterly ~0.23% Cap 22 Days
INNV QTAP   QQQ Accelerated ~0.43% Cap 33 Days
INNV XTAP   SPY Accelerated ~0.43% Cap 33 Days
INNV XBAP   SPY Accelerated ~0.34% Cap 33 Days
FT XAPR   SPY Enhanced 2x Quarterly ~0.50% Cap 50 Days

⚠ Approaching Cap - Index Is Below Cap

ETF is Nearing the Max Return but Index has not reached Cap

*Limited upside remaining - evaluate for rolling opportunities*
Days:
Remaining Cap:
ALIM SIXF   SPY 10% Buffer 6-Month ~0.00% Cap 154 Days
ALIM FEBW   SPY 20% Buffer Annual ~0.00% Cap 338 Days
ALIM FEBT   SPY 10% Buffer Annual ~0.78% Cap 338 Days

📈 Approaching Cap - Index Is Above Cap

ETF is Nearing the Max Return but Index exceeded Cap

*Maximum return achieved - consider exit timing and roll strategies*
Days:
Remaining Cap:
ALIM SIXP   SPY 10% Buffer 6-Month ~0.48% Cap 1 Days
ALIM MARW   SPY 20% Buffer Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 1 Days
ALIM MART   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 1 Days
INNV IMAR   EFA 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 2 Days
INNV KMAR   IWM 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 2 Days
INNV NMAR   QQQ 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 2 Days
INNV PMAR   SPY 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 2 Days
INNV UMAR   SPY 30% Ultra Buffer ~0.00% Cap 2 Days
INNV BMAR   SPY 9% Buffer Quarterly ~0.17% Cap 2 Days
INNV ZMAR   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly ~0.04% Cap 2 Days
FT DMAR   SPY 25% Ultra Buffer ~0.39% Cap 22 Days
FT MARM   SPY 50% Ultra Buffer ~0.14% Cap 22 Days
FT FMAR   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.45% Cap 22 Days
FT GMAR   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.36% Cap 22 Days
FT QMAR   QQQ 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.61% Cap 22 Days
FT RSMR   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.60% Cap 22 Days
FT TMAR   EEM 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 22 Days
FT YMAR   EFA 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.06% Cap 22 Days
ALIM AIOO   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly ~0.00% Cap 32 Days
ALIM APRW   SPY 20% Buffer Quarterly ~0.38% Cap 32 Days
ALIM APRT   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.90% Cap 32 Days
INNV EAPR   EEM 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.24% Cap 33 Days
INNV IAPR   EFA 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.34% Cap 33 Days
INNV KAPR   IWM 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.47% Cap 33 Days
INNV NAPR   QQQ 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.54% Cap 33 Days
INNV PAPR   SPY 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.49% Cap 33 Days
INNV UAPR   SPY 30% Ultra Buffer ~0.48% Cap 33 Days
INNV BAPR   SPY 9% Buffer Quarterly ~0.71% Cap 33 Days
INNV ZAPR   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly ~0.36% Cap 33 Days
INNV AAPR   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly ~0.38% Cap 33 Days
FT DAPR   SPY 25% Ultra Buffer ~0.58% Cap 50 Days
FT QCAP   QQQ 25% Ultra Buffer ~0.67% Cap 50 Days
FT APXM   SPY 50% Ultra Buffer ~0.41% Cap 50 Days
FT FAPR   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.81% Cap 50 Days
FT GAPR   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly ~0.75% Cap 50 Days
ALIM MAYW   SPY 20% Buffer Quarterly ~0.70% Cap 62 Days
ALIM MAYT   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly ~1.54% Cap 62 Days
INNV IMAY   EFA 15% Buffer Quarterly ~1.03% Cap 63 Days
INNV KMAY   IWM 15% Buffer Quarterly ~0.92% Cap 63 Days
INNV NMAY   QQQ 15% Buffer Quarterly ~1.49% Cap 63 Days
INNV PMAY   SPY 15% Buffer Quarterly ~1.13% Cap 63 Days
INNV UMAY   SPY 30% Ultra Buffer ~1.06% Cap 63 Days
INNV BMAY   SPY 9% Buffer Quarterly ~1.61% Cap 63 Days

⚠ ETFs Expiring in 30 Days - No Current Alerts

These ETFs will reset within 30 days but currently show no entry or exit signals. Consider rolling positions if currently held.

SQMX (22d)

Important Disclosures

This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Buffered ETFs involve significant risks including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

† Data Source & Independence Notice: Data derived from publicly available ETF information and exchange prices. All calculations, analysis, and commentary are independently produced by Harborside Capital. This report is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Innovator ETFs, Innovator Capital Management, Goldman Sachs, or any ETF issuer. For official fund data, visit innovatoretfs.com.

For complete terms and conditions, visit: harborside.capital/disclaimer

Options Risk Disclosure: Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive a copy of "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options" available at theocc.com.

Please read the full disclaimer and risk disclosure document before making any investment decisions. Consult with a qualified financial advisor regarding your specific investment objectives and risk tolerance.

® Trademark Notice: The following are trademarks of Innovator Capital Management, LLC, its affiliates or licensors: Accelerated ETFs®, Accelerated Plus ETF®, Accelerated Return ETFs®, Barrier ETF®, Buffer ETF™, Defined Income ETF™, Defined Outcome Bond ETF®, Defined Outcome ETFs®, Defined Protection ETF®, Define Your Future®, Enhanced ETF™, Floor ETF®, Innovator ETFs®, Leading the Defined Outcome ETF Revolution™, Managed Buffer ETFs®, Managed Outcome ETFs®, Step-Up™, Step-Up ETFs®, 100% Buffer ETFs®, and Dual Directional Buffer ETFs®. All related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are the property of their respective owners.

© 2026 Harborside Capital. This report and its analysis are the independent work product of Harborside Capital. Use of trademarked terms is for identification purposes only and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by trademark owners.

Read more