BALQ vs. DGRO
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 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.
Performance
BALQ vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 17.54% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 12.80% return.
BALQ
- 1D
- -1.81%
- 1M
- -2.86%
- 6M
- 15.73%
- YTD
- 17.54%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DGRO
- 1D
- 1.25%
- 1M
- 2.37%
- 6M
- 9.53%
- YTD
- 12.80%
- 1Y
- 22.87%
- 3Y*
- 17.04%
- 5Y*
- 11.27%
- 10Y*
- 13.31%
BALQ vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 17.54% | 0.04% |
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | 12.80% | 0.93% |
Correlation
The correlation between BALQ and DGRO is 0.29, 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 3, 2025 | 0.29 |
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Return for Risk
BALQ vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
DGRO
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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| BALQ | DGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.44 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 3.55 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 13.71 | — |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BALQ | DGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.56% | 0.00% | -4.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.47% | -3.42% | +0.95% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.67% | — |
Volatility
BALQ vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BALQ | DGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 2.81% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 7.09% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.86% | 9.53% | +11.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.86% | 13.81% | +7.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.86% | 16.57% | +4.29% |
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 6.12%, more than DGRO's 1.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 6.12% | 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 | 1.90% | 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
BALQ and DGRO have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
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.
DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 6.12%, compared with 1.90% for 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.
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