BALQ vs. IWM
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
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 18.59% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 20.47% return.
BALQ
- 1D
- -3.11%
- 1M
- -0.12%
- YTD
- 18.59%
- 6M
- 17.39%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IWM
- 1D
- -0.96%
- 1M
- 3.82%
- YTD
- 20.47%
- 6M
- 17.64%
- 1Y
- 40.90%
- 3Y*
- 19.22%
- 5Y*
- 6.27%
- 10Y*
- 11.58%
BALQ vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 18.59% | 0.04% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 20.47% | 0.74% |
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 3, 2025 | 0.73 |
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Return for Risk
BALQ vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
IWM
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.
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 | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.34 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 3.73 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 13.18 | — |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BALQ | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.71% | -0.96% | -2.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.40% | -10.75% | +8.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 3.11% | — |
Volatility
BALQ vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BALQ | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 6.56% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 14.31% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.62% | 19.74% | +0.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.62% | 22.61% | -1.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.62% | 23.06% | -2.44% |
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 4.76%, more than IWM's 0.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 4.76% | 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 | 0.90% | 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
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.
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.
IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.76%, compared with 0.90% for 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.
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