BALQ vs. FDL
BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. BALQ is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.
Performance
BALQ vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 17.95% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 12.30% return.
BALQ
- 1D
- -0.54%
- 1M
- -0.66%
- YTD
- 17.95%
- 6M
- 16.38%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FDL
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- -3.06%
- YTD
- 12.30%
- 6M
- 12.10%
- 1Y
- 21.91%
- 3Y*
- 18.97%
- 5Y*
- 12.94%
- 10Y*
- 11.09%
BALQ vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 17.95% | 0.04% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 12.30% | 2.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between BALQ and FDL is -0.20, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025 | -0.20 |
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Return for Risk
BALQ vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FDL
BALQ vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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 | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.33 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 5.15 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 12.05 | — |
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Drawdowns
BALQ vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BALQ | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.79% | -65.93% | +54.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -4.27% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -12.24% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -16.46% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.40% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.23% | -3.40% | -0.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.42% | -9.63% | +7.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.82% | — |
Volatility
BALQ vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BALQ | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 3.54% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 8.10% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.56% | 11.55% | +9.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.56% | 14.31% | +6.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.56% | 17.11% | +3.45% |
BALQ vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison
BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.
Dividends
BALQ vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.78%, more than FDL's 3.71% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 4.78% | 0.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 3.71% | 4.04% | 4.96% | 4.58% | 3.58% | 4.59% | 4.48% | 3.75% | 3.97% | 3.18% | 2.93% | 3.65% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BALQ and FDL have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, BALQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for FDL.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.78%, compared with 3.71% for FDL.
BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.43% for FDL.
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