BALQ vs. JEPQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. BALQ is actively managed, while JEPQ is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

BALQ vs. JEPQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 19.54% return, which is significantly higher than JEPQ's 7.85% return.

BALQ

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 1.28%
• YTD: 19.54%
• 6M: 20.53%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

JEPQ

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 7.85%
• 6M: 8.80%
• 1Y: 25.53%
• 3Y*: 19.91%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALQ vs. JEPQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	19.54%	0.04%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	7.85%	0.36%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and JEPQ is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025	0.95

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. JEPQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALQ

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 79
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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. JEPQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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	JEPQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.03	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.69	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.40	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.91	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	13.84	—

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. JEPQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum JEPQ drawdown of -20.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and JEPQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	JEPQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-20.07%	+8.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.82%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.93%	-1.64%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.44%	-3.41%	+0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.85%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	JEPQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.98%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.22%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.79%	12.61%	+7.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.79%	16.73%	+3.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.79%	16.73%	+3.06%

BALQ vs. JEPQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BALQ and JEPQ have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

BALQ vs. JEPQ - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.72%, less than JEPQ's 10.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.72%	0.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.22%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and JEPQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, BALQ and JEPQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, BALQ or JEPQ?

Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or JEPQ?

BALQ and JEPQ have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.22%, compared with 4.72% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between BALQ and JEPQ?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and JPMorgan.