BALQ vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. BALQ is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

BALQ vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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 IWM's 17.07% return.

BALQ

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

IWM

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 17.07%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 39.10%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

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

BALQ vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	17.07%	-1.06%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and IWM is 0.73, 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	0.73

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	0.37	+2.45

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-59.05%	+47.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-11.03%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.50%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-1.49%	+1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-10.77%	+8.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.10%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.75%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	13.53%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	19.20%	-1.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	22.52%	-4.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	23.04%	-5.01%

BALQ vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than IWM's 0.88% 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%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.88%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and IWM in my portfolio?

BALQ and IWM have a correlation of 0.73, 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 IWM?

On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between BALQ and IWM?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.19% for IWM.