BALQ vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. BALQ is actively managed, while ACWI is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

BALQ vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 22.89% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 12.13% return.

BALQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 11.15%
• YTD: 22.89%
• 6M: 22.29%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ACWI

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 12.13%
• 6M: 12.96%
• 1Y: 29.18%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 12.85%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BALQ vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.13%	0.74%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and ACWI is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.92

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 66
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 71

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BALQ vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BALQ	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.29	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	0.43	+2.39

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-56.00%	+44.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.73%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.55%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.83%	+0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-8.61%	+6.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.16%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.93%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.29%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	12.78%	+5.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	16.05%	+1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	17.11%	+0.92%

BALQ vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than ACWI's 1.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	1.38%	1.55%	1.70%	1.88%	1.79%	1.71%	1.43%	2.33%	2.18%	1.94%	2.19%	2.56%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and ACWI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, BALQ and ACWI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, BALQ or ACWI?

On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BALQ or ACWI?

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between BALQ and ACWI?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while ACWI is Global Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.32% for ACWI.