BALQ vs. IBIT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. BALQ is actively managed, while IBIT is passively managed. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

BALQ vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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 IBIT's -25.48% return.

BALQ

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

IBIT

• 1D: -2.76%
• 1M: -18.50%
• YTD: -25.48%
• 6M: -29.84%
• 1Y: -38.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALQ vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-25.48%	-5.86%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and IBIT is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.51

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 2
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	-0.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	0.30	+2.52

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -49.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-49.36%	+37.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-49.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-48.10%	+47.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-16.02%	+13.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	28.44%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	9.50%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	34.44%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	43.73%	-25.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	50.19%	-32.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	50.19%	-32.16%

BALQ vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BALQ vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and IBIT in my portfolio?

BALQ and IBIT have a correlation of 0.51, 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 IBIT?

On fees, IBIT 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 IBIT?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between BALQ and IBIT?

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