BALQ vs. MLPB

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and MLPB (ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while MLPB is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. BALQ is actively managed, while MLPB is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.26, they often move in opposite directions. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MLPB.

Performance

BALQ vs. MLPB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 17.54% return, which is significantly lower than MLPB's 23.17% return.

BALQ

• 1D: -1.81%
• 1M: -2.86%
• 6M: 15.73%
• YTD: 17.54%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MLPB

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 6.90%
• 6M: 16.96%
• YTD: 23.17%
• 1Y: 24.66%
• 3Y*: 22.00%
• 5Y*: 21.74%
• 10Y*: 8.59%

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

BALQ vs. MLPB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	17.54%	0.04%
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B	23.17%	-0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and MLPB is -0.26, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025	-0.26

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. MLPB — 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.

MLPB

MLPB Risk / Return Rank: 61
MLPB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
MLPB Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
MLPB Omega Ratio Rank: 60
MLPB Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
MLPB Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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. MLPB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB). 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	MLPB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.74	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.42	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.30	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.56	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.65	—

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. MLPB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum MLPB drawdown of -71.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and MLPB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	MLPB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-71.93%	+60.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.68%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.49%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.41%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.56%	-1.95%	-2.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-14.72%	+12.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.72%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	MLPB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.60%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.97%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.86%	14.27%	+6.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.86%	19.85%	+1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.86%	27.19%	-6.33%

BALQ vs. MLPB - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPB's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. MLPB - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.12%, more than MLPB's 5.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	6.12%	0.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B	5.86%	6.51%	5.95%	6.37%	6.00%	6.98%	11.93%	7.98%	8.11%	7.23%	6.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and MLPB in my portfolio?

BALQ and MLPB have a correlation of -0.26, 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 MLPB?

On fees, BALQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or MLPB?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for MLPB.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 6.12%, compared with 5.86% for MLPB.

What is the main difference between BALQ and MLPB?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while MLPB is MLPs. They also come from different issuers: iShares and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.85% for MLPB.