BALQ vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. BALQ is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

BALQ vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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 IAU's 2.98% return.

BALQ

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

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

BALQ vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	2.45%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and IAU is 0.32, 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	0.32

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	0.62	+2.19

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-45.14%	+33.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-17.70%	+17.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-15.96%	+13.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.71%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.50%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	23.02%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	26.42%	-8.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	17.95%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	15.90%	+2.13%

BALQ vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and IAU in my portfolio?

BALQ and IAU have a correlation of 0.32, 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 IAU?

On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between BALQ and IAU?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IAU is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.25% for IAU.