BALQ vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. BALQ is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

BALQ vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). 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 DGRO's 8.76% return.

BALQ

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

DGRO

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 10.54%
• 10Y*: 13.30%

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

BALQ vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	-0.01%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and DGRO is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.47

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 71
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
DGRO 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. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). 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	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	0.76	+2.05

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-35.10%	+23.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.47%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.03%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.31%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.28%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-3.44%	+1.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.67%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.21%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.91%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	9.48%	+8.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	13.82%	+4.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	16.62%	+1.41%

BALQ vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than DGRO's 1.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.96%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and DGRO in my portfolio?

BALQ and DGRO have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BALQ or DGRO?

On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 1.96% for DGRO.

What is the main difference between BALQ and DGRO?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.08% for DGRO.