Daily Report

ETF Insights - January 25, 2026

Today's analysis: 56 near entry, 0 near acceleration, 70 near cap. Total 126 signals.

Eric Cerrone

— 50 min read
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HARBORSIDE - Buffered ETF Insights - January 25, 2026
Harborside Capital
HARBORSIDE
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Buffered ETF Insights

Independent Analysis • Not Affiliated with Innovator ETFs or Goldman Sachs

January 25, 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
275
ETFs ANALYZED
56
NEAR ENTRY
0
NEAR ACCELERATION
70
NEAR CAP
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🎯 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:
FT DHDG   SPY 12% Buffer Quarterly 3.89% Cap 82 Days
ALIM SIXJ   SPY 10% Buffer 6-Month 5.91% Cap 155 Days
ALIM FLJJ   SPY Floor 5% 6-Month 0.00% Cap 155 Days
ALIM NVBU   SPY Uncapped 12% Buffer Uncapped Cap 278 Days
INNV NNOV   QQQ 13% Buffer Annual 14.25% Cap 281 Days
ALIM DECU   SPY Uncapped 12% Buffer Uncapped Cap 308 Days
FT XDEC   SPY 14.4% Buffer Annual 8.34% Cap 327 Days
FT DDEC   SPY 24% Buffer Annual 10.16% Cap 327 Days
FT FDEC   SPY 9.3% Buffer Annual 12.83% Cap 327 Days
FT GDEC   SPY 14.4% Buffer Annual 10.35% Cap 327 Days
ALIM JANW   SPY 20% Buffer Annual 9.41% Cap 339 Days
ALIM JANT   SPY 10% Buffer Annual 14.52% Cap 339 Days
ALIM JANU   SPY Uncapped 12% Buffer Uncapped Cap 339 Days
INNV NJAN   QQQ 15% Buffer Annual 12.97% Cap 342 Days
INNV PJAN   SPY 14% Buffer Annual 10.78% Cap 342 Days
INNV BJAN   SPY 8.3% Buffer Annual 14.69% Cap 342 Days
FT XJAN   SPY 13.9% Buffer Annual 9.19% Cap 355 Days
FT DJAN   SPY 24% Buffer Annual 10.90% Cap 355 Days
FT QCJA   QQQ 19% Buffer Annual 10.94% Cap 355 Days
FT FJAN   SPY 9.0% Buffer Annual 13.89% Cap 355 Days
FT GJAN   SPY 13.9% Buffer Annual 11.05% Cap 355 Days
FT DGJA   SPY 10% Buffer Annual 7.56% Cap 355 Days

💎 Ultra Buffer Sweet Spot - 30% Protection Zone

ETFs with 30% buffer protection in ideal risk/reward zones

Qualification Criteria:
30% Buffered ETFs:
  • Optimal Range: Fund Return between -5% and -4%
  • Good Range: Fund Return between -6% to -5.1% or -3.9% to +3%
*Premium protection zone with 30% downside buffer*
Days:
Remaining Cap:
ALIM AIOO   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly 0.00% Cap 64 Days
INNV APOC   SPY 100% Protection 6-Month 1.39% Cap 67 Days
FT MAYM   SPY 95% Ultra Buffer 1.52% Cap 110 Days
INNV ZJUN   SPY 100% Protection 6-Month 1.77% Cap 128 Days
FT JUNM   SPY 66% Ultra Buffer 1.96% Cap 144 Days
INNV ZJUL   SPY 100% Protection 6-Month 2.54% Cap 158 Days
INNV JAJL   SPY 100% Protection 6-Month 2.56% Cap 158 Days
FT JULM   SPY 65% Ultra Buffer 2.71% Cap 173 Days
INNV ZAUG   SPY 100% Protection 6-Month 3.20% Cap 189 Days
FT AUGM   SPY 59% Ultra Buffer 3.48% Cap 208 Days
INNV USEP   SPY 30% Ultra Buffer 6.15% Cap 220 Days
INNV ZSEP   SPY 100% Protection Annual 3.53% Cap 220 Days
FT SEPM   SPY 47% Ultra Buffer 4.35% Cap 236 Days
INNV UOCT   SPY 29% Ultra Buffer 7.75% Cap 250 Days
INNV ZOCT   SPY 100% Protection Annual 4.20% Cap 250 Days
FT OCTM   SPY 43% Ultra Buffer 4.63% Cap 264 Days
INNV UNOV   SPY 29% Ultra Buffer 9.69% Cap 281 Days
INNV ZNOV   SPY 100% Protection Annual 5.02% Cap 281 Days
FT NOVM   SPY 58% Ultra Buffer 4.65% Cap 299 Days
INNV UDEC   SPY 29% Ultra Buffer 10.06% Cap 311 Days
INNV ZDEK   SPY 100% Protection Annual 5.28% Cap 311 Days
FT DECM   SPY 50% Ultra Buffer 5.56% Cap 327 Days
INNV UJAN   SPY 29% Ultra Buffer 9.69% Cap 342 Days
INNV ZJAN   SPY 100% Protection Annual 5.42% Cap 342 Days
FT JANM   SPY 45% Ultra Buffer 6.22% Cap 355 Days
INNV TJUL   SPY 100% Protection 2-Year 8.07% Cap 523 Days
INNV TOCT   SPY 100% Protection 2-Year 9.66% Cap 615 Days
INNV AJAN   SPY 100% Protection 2-Year 11.28% Cap 707 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 64 Days
INNV JAJL   SPY 100% Protection 6-Month 2.56% Cap 158 Days
INNV ZJAN   SPY 100% Protection Annual 5.42% Cap 342 Days
INNV AJAN   SPY 100% Protection 2-Year 11.28% Cap 707 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 9% 11.07% Cap 342 Days
INNV DDFJ   SPY Dual Direction 15% 7.54% Cap 342 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*
0
NEAR START
0
NEAR THRESHOLD
0
NEAR CAP

⚠ 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 MARU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 33 Days
ALIM ARLU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 64 Days
ALIM MAYU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 94 Days
ALIM JNEU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 125 Days
ALIM JULU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 155 Days
ALIM AUGU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 186 Days
ALIM SEPU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 217 Days
ALIM OCTU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 247 Days
ALIM NVBU   SPY Uncapped 12% Buffer Uncapped Cap 278 Days
ALIM DECU   SPY Uncapped 12% Buffer Uncapped Cap 308 Days
ALIM JANU   SPY Uncapped 12% Buffer Uncapped Cap 339 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 SIXF   SPY 10% Buffer 6-Month 0.00% Cap 5 Days
ALIM FEBW   SPY 20% Buffer Quarterly 0.00% Cap 5 Days
ALIM FEBT   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly 0.17% Cap 5 Days
ALIM FEBU   SPY Uncapped 15% Buffer Uncapped Cap 5 Days
INNV IFEB   EFA 18% Buffer Quarterly 0.00% Cap 8 Days
INNV KFEB   IWM 13% Buffer Quarterly 1.20% Cap 8 Days
INNV NFEB   QQQ 16% Buffer Quarterly 0.02% Cap 8 Days
INNV PFEB   SPY 15% Buffer Quarterly 0.10% Cap 8 Days
INNV UFEB   SPY 28% Ultra Buffer 0.06% Cap 8 Days
INNV BFEB   SPY 8.0% Buffer Quarterly 0.85% Cap 8 Days
INNV ZFEB   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly 0.07% Cap 8 Days
FT XFEB   SPY 17.3% Buffer Quarterly 0.27% Cap 26 Days
FT DFEB   SPY 24% Buffer Quarterly 0.82% Cap 26 Days
FT FEBM   SPY 94% Ultra Buffer 0.32% Cap 26 Days
FT FFEB   SPY 10.0% Buffer Quarterly 1.28% Cap 26 Days
FT GFEB   SPY 15.9% Buffer Quarterly 0.78% Cap 26 Days
FT QMFE   QQQ 16.3% Buffer Quarterly 0.99% Cap 26 Days
FT SFEB   IWM 16.6% Buffer Quarterly 0.88% Cap 26 Days
ALIM SIXP   SPY 10% Buffer 6-Month 0.29% Cap 33 Days
ALIM MARW   SPY 20% Buffer Quarterly 0.00% Cap 33 Days
ALIM MART   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly 0.00% Cap 33 Days
INNV IMAR   EFA 17% Buffer Quarterly 0.46% Cap 36 Days
INNV KMAR   IWM 17% Buffer Quarterly 1.02% Cap 36 Days
INNV NMAR   QQQ 18% Buffer Quarterly 0.81% Cap 36 Days
INNV PMAR   SPY 17% Buffer Quarterly 0.86% Cap 36 Days
INNV UMAR   SPY 30% Ultra Buffer 0.80% Cap 36 Days
INNV ZMAR   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly 0.51% Cap 36 Days
FT XMAR   SPY 21.5% Buffer Quarterly 0.65% Cap 54 Days
FT MARM   SPY 94% Ultra Buffer 0.56% Cap 54 Days
FT FMAR   SPY 14.3% Buffer Quarterly 1.07% Cap 54 Days
FT GMAR   SPY 20.3% Buffer Quarterly 0.91% Cap 54 Days
FT QMAR   QQQ 16.0% Buffer Quarterly 1.18% Cap 54 Days
FT TMAR   EEM 17.6% Buffer Quarterly 0.44% Cap 54 Days
FT YMAR   EFA 16.4% Buffer Quarterly 1.16% Cap 54 Days
ALIM AIOO   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly 0.00% Cap 64 Days
ALIM APRW   SPY 20% Buffer Quarterly 0.00% Cap 64 Days
ALIM APRT   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly 0.00% Cap 64 Days
ALIM FLAO   SPY Floor 5% Quarterly 0.00% Cap 64 Days
INNV EAPR   EEM 25% Buffer Quarterly 0.88% Cap 67 Days
INNV IAPR   EFA 18% Buffer Quarterly 1.12% Cap 67 Days
INNV KAPR   IWM 22% Buffer Quarterly 1.20% Cap 67 Days
INNV NAPR   QQQ 23% Buffer Quarterly 0.97% Cap 67 Days
INNV PAPR   SPY 21% Buffer Quarterly 1.03% Cap 67 Days
INNV UAPR   SPY 33% Ultra Buffer 1.00% Cap 67 Days
INNV BAPR   SPY 13.3% Buffer Quarterly 1.36% Cap 67 Days
INNV AAPR   SPY 100% Protection Quarterly 0.87% Cap 67 Days
FT XAPR   SPY 24.6% Buffer Quarterly 0.87% Cap 82 Days
FT DAPR   SPY 30% Ultra Buffer 1.04% Cap 82 Days
FT QCAP   QQQ 30% Ultra Buffer 1.01% Cap 82 Days
FT FAPR   SPY 16.9% Buffer Quarterly 1.35% Cap 82 Days
FT GAPR   SPY 23.1% Buffer Quarterly 1.18% Cap 82 Days
ALIM MAYW   SPY 20% Buffer Quarterly 0.00% Cap 94 Days
ALIM MAYT   SPY 10% Buffer Quarterly 0.00% Cap 94 Days
INNV KMAY   IWM 23% Buffer Quarterly 1.35% Cap 97 Days
ALIM JUNW   SPY 20% Buffer 6-Month 0.00% Cap 125 Days
ALIM JUNT   SPY 10% Buffer 6-Month 0.00% Cap 125 Days
ALIM JULW   SPY 20% Buffer 6-Month 0.00% Cap 155 Days
ALIM FLJJ   SPY Floor 5% 6-Month 0.00% Cap 155 Days
FT DMAR   SPY 30% Ultra Buffer 0.86% Cap 365 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.

FHDG (26d)

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.

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